TRANSPORT

Aeroplane Pilots (Drug Testing)

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the system of drug and alcohol testing in relation to persons in charge of an aeroplane; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: There is at present no statutory system of drug and alcohol testing for flight crew.
	It is an offence under the Air Navigation Order 2000 for flight crew to carry out their duties while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As part of the process for obtaining an Air Operator Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), airlines are required to establish policies on alcohol and drugs to ensure compliance with this provision. The detailed implementation of such policies is a matter for the airlines but may include testing programmes. In addition, the Air Navigation Order requires pilots to hold a valid medical certificate issued by a person approved by the CAA. Pilots undergo regular medical examinations, which will pay attention to any evidence of excess alcohol intake or substance abuse. There is currently no evidence of a widespread drink or drug problem in the aviation sector.
	The Railways and Transport Safety Bill currently before Parliament includes provisions setting a blood/alcohol limit for flight crew and other specified aviation personnel and will give the police power to test suspected offenders.

British Airports Authority (Cross-subsidisation)

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards BAA's cross-subsidisation of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

David Jamieson: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted are subject to economic regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority which has sole responsibility for setting their airport price caps. The CAA's decision will determine BAA's ability to cross-subsidise between airports.

Bus Services (Leeds)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding will be provided by his Department for improving bus services in the city of Leeds in each of the next five years.

David Jamieson: My Department allocates capital funding for integrated transport to the west Yorkshire passenger transport authority (WYPTA) and the five west Yorkshire local authorities in the annual local transport capital expenditure settlement each December, following bids made to central Government through the five-year joint west Yorkshire local transport plan (LTP) the previous July. We also make revenue funding available through the standard spending assessment system. It is then up to WYPTA and the five West Yorkshire local authorities, including Leeds city council, how this funding is distributed and prioritised.
	For the 2003–04 financial year, WYPTA and the five local authorities have been awarded £25.8 million for integrated transport. Indicative allocations for 2004–05 and 2005–06 are £26 million and £27.5 million respectively. The 2006–07 and 2007–08 financial years will be covered by the second joint west Yorkshire LTP, which runs from 2006 to 2011, and no indicative allocations are yet available.
	In addition, and subject to completion of the statutory processes, £20.9 million has been set aside for improvements to bus services on the A65 Kirkstall road corridor. These improvements include the construction of bus lanes and new bus stops and shelters.

Driving Licences

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of, and how many, reminders sent by the DVLA for drivers to renew their road fund licence, were returned to DVLA as (a) addressee moved and (b) addressee not known at this address since 2000.

David Jamieson: DVLA issued some 36.9 million vehicle excise licence reminders in 2001–02. They are despatched in envelopes bearing a specific message asking for them not to be returned to DVLA if undeliverable. If the addressee has moved, DVLA will normally pick up the new address as soon as the vehicle is relicenced, or a statutory off-road declaration made.

East London Line

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposals made in the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan 2003 Route Descriptions on the East London Line project.

David Jamieson: The SRA is continuing to take forward development of this project pending resolution of outstanding planning and funding issues.

Energy Savings Trust

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Government grant has been given to the Energy Savings Trust in each of the last three years; and what proportion of that grant (a) was allocated on an annual basis to TransportAction and (b) is allocated to TransportEnergy.

David Jamieson: The funding from my Department to the Energy Saving Trust for cleaner vehicle initiatives for the last three years is:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2001–02 29.11 
			 2000–01 15.91 
			 1999–2000 3.6 
		
	
	All of this funding was allocated to TransportAction. TransportAction was re-branded as TransportEnergy in September 2002.
	DEFRA also supports various domestic and industrial energy efficiency programmes which are managed by the Energy Saving Trust.

Honiton/Ilminster Road Inquiry

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the determinations of environmental issues considered by the public inquiry into the Honiton/Ilminster road improvement, with which he disagrees.

David Jamieson: holding answer 6 February 2003
	The views of the then Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport on the issues raised at the public inquiries into the A30/A303 Marsh to Honiton and Ilminster to Marsh improvements are contained in their decision letter of 27 January 1997. I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Libraries of the House as soon as possible.
	The Orders were not made. The scheme was remitted as part of the London to the south-west and south Wales multi-modal study, which looked at strategic routes from London to the south-west and Wales.
	Following the study, the Secretary of State has asked the Highways Agency to carry out further technical work. It is not possible to comment further on the environmental issues until that work is complete.

Low Emission Vehicles

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on encouragement of the introduction of (a) compressed and (b) liquefied natural gas vehicles.

David Jamieson: The Government are committed to encouraging the introduction and wider use of clean, low carbon vehicle technologies as set out in "the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy", published in July last year. Compared to conventional diesel vehicles, natural gas vehicles can offer useful air quality, noise and—in some cases—carbon benefits.
	The Government are encouraging the wider use of both compressed and liquefied natural gas vehicles primarily through favourable fuel duty incentives and grants towards the cost of procuring natural gas vehicles and supporting the development of refuelling infrastructure through the Department's PowerShift programme.

Low Emission Vehicles

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of government funding for the Energy Savings Trust is allocated as PowerShift grants for lower emission vehicles.

David Jamieson: For 2001/02, 29% of the Government's total funding for the Energy Saving Trust's transport initiatives was allocated to the PowerShift programme. This amounted to 8.5million out of a total of 29.11 million.
	The remaining funding supported the Trust's CleanUp initiative, and the marketing and operational costs of TransportAction.

Low Emission Vehicles

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of total road vehicles in the UK received PowerShift grants in each of the last four years.

David Jamieson: The proportion of PowerShift funded vehicles as a percentage of new vehicle registrations for the last four years is set out as follows.
	
		
			  (a)New Vehicle Registrations (b) PowerShift Vehicles (b)as percentage of (a) 
		
		
			 2001–02 3,013,126 4,403 0.15 
			 2000–01 2,712,901 5,111 0.19 
			 1999–2000 2,637,402 1,817 0.07 
			 1998–99 2,627,299 748 0.03

Low Emission Vehicles

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what financial assistance in the last four years his Department has given to encourage the promotion by local authorities of low emission zones;
	(2)  what financial measures in the last four years his Department has undertaken to encourage the promotion of low emission zones.

David Jamieson: My Department has provided £51,000 towards the cost of a three-year research programme run by the National Society for Clean Air into Low Emission Zones. This project examined the potential of such zones for improving air quality and provided local authorities with practical guidance on how best to establish and enforce them. The results of the project to date are available at: www.nsca.org.uk. My Department has also provided £20,000 towards the cost of the London low emission zone study which is being undertaken on behalf of the Greater London Authority and the Association of London Government.
	My Department has hosted a number of workshops to help local authorities tackle the problems of air pollution and the possible introduction of low emission zones.
	In addition, DEFRA's guidance on air quality includes advice on low emission zones. However, as yet no local authorities have implemented low emission zones.

Low Emission Vehicles

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on encouragement of the introduction of (a) electric vehicles and (b) hybrid low emission vehicles.

David Jamieson: The Government has introduced a number of incentives to encourage the wider use of cleaner vehicles and fuels, including battery electric and hybrid vehicles. The recently published Powering Future Vehicles strategy provides a framework for future fiscal and other incentives in the move towards a low carbon transport system.
	(a) Electric vehicles currently benefit from the following incentives:
	Zero rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
	A lower rate of company car tax
	Grants towards the premium cost of purchasing vehicles
	No fuel duty on electricity used for recharging batteries
	(b) Hybrid vehicles benefit from the these incentives
	A lower rate of company car tax
	Grants towards the premium cost of purchasing vehicles.
	Hybrid vehicles may fall into a lower Vehicle Excise Duty band as a result of their lower CO2 emissions.
	In addition, both hybrid and electric vehicle demonstration projects may be eligible for grant funding from the New Vehicle Technology Fund.

Low Emission Vehicles

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) vans and (b) other vehicles have received PowerShift grants over the last four years by (i) category of vehicle, (ii) type of power unit and (iii) type of fuel.

David Jamieson: Over the last four financial years (1998—2002) PowerShift has funded: (a) 6337 vans and (b) 5742 other vehicles. These 12,079 vehicles can be categorised by these fuel or technology types:
	
		
			  Vehicles 
		
		
			  
			 Liquefied petroleum gas 10,524  
			 Natural gas 217  
			 Battery electric 389  
			 Hybrid 948  
			 Fuel cell 1

Low-cost Airlines (Consumer Protection)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to increase existing levels of consumer protection for flight only customers of low-cost airlines; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Government has recently been involved in extensive discussions at a European level on a proposal for a regulation establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delays of flights. Political agreement was reached on this proposal at the European Transport Council in December 2002.
	This regulation, which will apply to all airlines operating within the European Union, will ensure a higher level of protection for passengers in cases of denied boarding, cancellation and delay. A ministerial letter detailing the outcome of the Transport Council was sent to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committee on 10 December 2002.

New Transport Infrastructure

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the availability of low interest loans from the European Investment Bank for (a) financing repair and renewal of London Underground, (b) the purchase of vehicle fleet by local authorities and (c) new transport infrastructure for the introduction of congestion zones and on emission zones.

David Jamieson: The European Investment Bank is one of many lenders involved in the tube modernisation plans. The bank might potentially make financing facilities available for the procurement of a clean vehicle fleet or for new infrastructure related to congestion and emission zones. However, any project promoter would need to satisfy the bank that its initiative helped to achieve the objectives of the European Union. And the cost of the project would normally need to exceed Euro25 million.

Overweight Vehicles

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents there were on UK roads where overweight vehicles were a factor in the accident in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

David Jamieson: The Department does not collect data on whether a vehicle involved in an accident was over-laden.

Rail Officials (Conduct Rules)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what rules govern the conduct of the (a) chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, (b) Head of Planning of the Strategic Rail Authority and (c) Rail Regulator in regard to their dealings with their former employers.

David Jamieson: All public servants are expected to act in good faith and in the best interests of their organisation.

Road Tax

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles were found to be overweight at weigh-bridges in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001; and how many prosecutions were pursued against individuals and companies relating to such vehicles in each of those years.

David Jamieson: The Police, Local Authorities' Trading Standards and the Vehicle Inspectorate conduct vehicle weighings at weighbridges and other locations to enforce compliance with maximum legal weights in Great Britain. The Department only holds records of weighings conducted by the Vehicle Inspectorate.
	The Inspectorate's policy is to weigh only suspect overloaded vehicles and prohibit them from further movement until the load is adjusted to conform to legalrequirements. Overloading is reported to the traffic commissioners for action through the operator licensing system where appropriate. More serious cases and serial offenders are also prosecuted.
	The table below shows the results of the Vehicle Inspectorate operations over the last four years:
	
		
			   2001–02 2000–01 1999–2000 1998-99 
		
		
			 HGVs 
			 Weighed 48,452 56,607 63,849 75,782 
			 Reported for prosecution 2,793 2,933 2,694 3,547 
			 Prohibited 3,693 3,627 3,322 4,589 
			  
			 PSVs 
			 Weighed 264 596 692 954 
			 Reported for prosecution 2 3 2 6 
			  13 13 10 59 
			 LGVs 
			 Weighed 6,357 6,446 6,807 7,398 
			 Reported for prosecution 1,272 1,383 1,230 1,262 
			 Prohibited 1,427 1,096 1,044 1,176 
		
	
	1. Figures include UK and foreign vehicles.

Ryanair (Compensation)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Civil Aviation Authority's role will be in ensuring compensation for those affected by the cancellation of Buzz Flights by Ryanair; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The CAA has no role in what is a commercial matter.

Strategic Rail Authority

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of the letters of comfort issued in relation to the Strategic Rail Authority.

David Jamieson: A copy of the proposed comfort letter to the Strategic Rail Authority was placed in the Libraries of the House on 3 February. It is subject to approval in the normal manner.

TransportEnergy

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the reason was for the re-branding of TransportAction as TransportEnergy; and what the total cost was to the Energy Savings Trust broken down into (a) consultancy fees, (b) publicity, (c) reprinting of stationery and (d) other material costs.

David Jamieson: In September 2002 the Energy Saving Trust re-branded TransportAction as TransportEnergy as part of a wider exercise to rationalise all of the trust's environmental initiatives, enabling them to deliver their messages with improved effectiveness and cost-efficiency. The term TransportEnergy better reflects the trust's goal of supporting a move to a less energy intensive transport system and is more consistent with the trust's domestic energy efficiency programmes.
	No Government funding was used in the re-branding exercise. All re-branding costs were met through the Energy Saving Trust's corporate funds.

Unlicensed Vehicles

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many DVLA staff are employed in monitoring unlicensed vehicles on the public highway in the London borough of Harrow.

David Jamieson: It is not possible to provide a breakdown of staff specifically for Harrow but the DVLA local office at Stanmore covers most of north London including Harrow. 29 staff at that office work on the enforcement of vehicle excise duty.
	Most reports of unlicensed vehicles are submitted to DVLA by police officers and traffic wardens as part of their normal duties.

Unlicensed Vehicles

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to speed up the process of impounding unlicensed vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Regulations were amended in April 2002 to reduce the period impounded vehicles have to be kept before they can be disposed of from 35 days to seven or 14 days. The deciding factor is the value of the vehicle. The majority of impounded unlicensed vehicles are now disposed of within 14 days.
	The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has increased the number of wheelclamping teams operating in London from two to four. Plans further to increasethe level of wheelclamping across the UK are being considered as part of the proposals to modernise the vehicle registration and licensing system.

Unlicensed Vehicles

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to grant the DVLA further powers to remove unlicensed vehicles from the road; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: DVLA plans to extend partnership working with local authorities to clamp and impound unlicensed vehicles following a successful trial scheme in the London Borough of Newham. Teams working for the boroughs of Wandsworth, Croydon and Lewisham, and Hastings and Southend-on-Sea councils have been trained by DVLA and now, together with Newham, clamp and impound untaxed cars in their areas. These teams complement the existing national contract for wheelclamping untaxed cars.
	DVLA is currently in discussion with a further eleven local authorities who have expressed an interest in joining the scheme.

Wales and Borders Franchise

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what requirements his Department has made of companies bidding for the Wales and Borders franchise as to the minimum level of service provision required within the term of the franchise; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what advice his Department has received from the Strategic Rail Authority on the effects on the level of service provided, in terms of (a) frequency of service and (b) capital investment, of a cut in public support of (i) 10 per cent. and (ii) 20 per cent. to the successful bidder for the Wales and Borders franchise.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority has asked bidders for the Wales and Borders franchise to provide a baseline bid for maintaining services at or around the current level. Bidders are also being asked for options to increase the level of service and to show what can be provided for 10 per cent. and 20 per cent less subsidy. The bidding process is in progress and bids have yet to be submitted. The outcome will be announced in due course.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Boundary Commission

Evan Harris: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what work the Electoral Commission is undertaking to develop policy on the consistency of the rules governing the Boundary Commission with particular regard to the question of parity of size for parliamentary constituencies.

Alan Beith: None. The Electoral Commission has no responsibility for this matter at present. Section 16 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 provides for the functions of the Boundary Commissions to be transferred to the Electoral Commission, but these provisions have not yet been implemented.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the international security assistance force in Afghanistan; what reports he has received on military confrontations between that force and Afghan rebels in the past six months; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I receive regular reports on the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul. While there have been some security incidents, under the excellent leadership of Turkey the ISAF has supported the Islamic Transitional Authority in improving the security and stability of the Afghan capital.

Armed Forces (Deployments)

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effects the use of military personnel for cover during the fire strike has had on the timing of deployments to the Gulf.

Adam Ingram: The use of military personnel for cover during the fire strike has had no effect on the timing of deployments related to potential operations against Iraq.

Armilla Patrol

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Armilla Patrol vessel has been on station in the past year.

Adam Ingram: A RN frigate or destroyer has provided a permanent presence in the Gulf as part of the Armilla Patrol throughout the past year, as it has done continually since 1980 when the Armilla Patrol commenced. This task is currently being met by HMS Cardiff, with support from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Bayleaf. HMS Richmond is scheduled to relieve HMS Cardiff in theatre on 9 March 2003.

Atlantic Patrol (North)

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Atlantic Patrol (North) vessel has been on station in the Caribbean since September 2002.

Adam Ingram: HMS Grafton was on-station in the Caribbean Area of Responsibility (AOR) between 8 August to 3 December 2002. HMS Grafton returned to the United Kingdom on 13 December, handing over Atlantic Patrol Task (North) duty to HMS Iron Duke on 19 December. HMS Iron Duke deployed for the Caribbean on 23 January 2003. When not on station, the ship allocated to APT(N) was held at a maximum 14 days notice. Throughout the period in question, the duty RFA APT(N) tanker has remained on station providing a permanent presence in the Caribbean AOR.

Biochemical Attack (Gulf)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monitoring procedures will be available to UK troops in the Gulf in the event of (a) biological and (b) chemical attack.

Adam Ingram: A wide range of detection and warning systems and testing and decontamination facilities will be available to United Kingdom troops deployed for potential operations in Iraq.

British Military Powerboat Trust

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential of the British Military Powerboat Trust for raising public awareness of the (a) role and (b) history of UK coastal forces.

Adam Ingram: While no formal assessment has been made of the potential of the British Military Powerboat Trust, the Ministry of Defence is always looking for ways to raise public awareness of our military heritage.
	We have good contacts with a number of charitable organisations and preservation societies who are dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historical military equipment, such as the British Military Powerboat Trust.
	As an example of this, the 200102 edition of Broadsheetthe annual magazine of the Chief of the Naval Staffincluded a two-page article highlighting the work of the British Military Powerboat Trust. Copies of the magazine are available from the Ministry of Defence.

Civilian Ships

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what security checks are made of crews of civilian ships chartered for military operations;
	(2)  what vetting has taken place of crews of vessels chartered by his Department in support of Operation Telic; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Security checks are carried out for the United Kingdom crews of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force Roll-On/Roll-Off ferries provided to the Ministry of Defence under the PFI arrangement. Such crews are required to be Royal Navy Sponsored Reserves. Special measures are taken when there are any security considerations and these can include the placing of a United Kingdom military escort party on-board chartered commercial vessels.

Congestion Charging

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of reimbursement of the Registration Fee and Congestion Charges for Service Personnel at Wellington Barracks.

Lewis Moonie: The number of personnel accommodated at Wellington Barracks who have cars is assessed to be around 300. On this basis the estimated annual cost of the reimbursement of the Congestion Charge and the Registration Fee is approximately 42,000. Since most are basic rate tax payers this figure would attract Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions of some 15,000, paid centrally by the Ministry of Defence.

Congestion Charging

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will reimburse Service Personnel accommodated in publicly funded accommodation within the Congestion Charging Zone the tax payable on the benefits in kind; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Service Personnel who occupy publicly funded accommodation within the Congestion Charging Zone will be reimbursed Congestion Charge costs for one vehicle only. Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions will be met centrally by the Ministry of Defence.

Defence Spending

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of defence spending in each year from 199091 to 200405 in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms using 200102 prices.

Adam Ingram: The figures from 199091 to 200102 are for outturn expenditure. From 200203, outturn expenditure is not yet available. These figures are therefore spending plans for the period. In year additions, such as the net additional cost of operations, are excluded from spending plans. Spending plans are therefore lower than actual outturn expenditure.
	Total defence expenditure figures are published annually by the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) in UK Defence Statistics, and prior to 1992, were reported in Volume 2 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates. Spending plans for 200306 are reported in the Defence Investment Strategy 2002.
	
		 million
		
			   Outturn expenditure(200102 prices(1)) Spending plans(200102 prices(1)) 
		
		
			 199091 22,298 (30,564)   
			 199192 24,562 (31,731)   
			 199293 23,762 (29,736)   
			 199394 23,424 (28,606)   
			 199495 22,519 (27,140)   
			 199596 21,517 (25,214)   
			 199697 22,077 (25,076)   
			 199798 20,945 (23,078)   
			 199899 22,482 (24,109)   
			 19992000 22,572 (23,633)   
			 200001 23,552 (24,109)   
			 200102 (2)24,122 (24,122)   
			 200203   24,196 (23,606) 
			 200304   (3)30,921 (29,503) 
			 200405   31,756 (29,561) 
		
	
	(1) Adjusted using HM Treasury GDP deflator at market prices as at 23 December 2002.
	(2) Figures from 200102 onwards are on a Stage 1 Resource Accounting basis. The figures are not directly comparable to the cash based figures which precede them.
	(3) From 200304, Departments will be controlled on a full Resource Accounting and Budgeting basis. The total figure is the sum of the separate resource and capital Departmental Expenditure Limits, net of depreciation.
	Figures are not adjusted to take account of major definitional changes in defence spending and transfers of responsibility between Government Departments.

Field Hospitals

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many beds there are in each (a) regular and (b) reserve field hospital.

Lewis Moonie: The number of beds to be provided by a Regular or Reserve Field Hospital is operation specific. There is no set standard. The maximum usually provided by a single Field Hospital unit, whether Regular or Reserve, is 200 beds, with 566 medical and support staff required.

Field Hospitals

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in each reserve field hospital unit have been paid an efficiency bounty.

Lewis Moonie: The TA bounty is awarded as a result of an individual having been available for service for the past twelve months; having completed the appropriate training; and having received the Commanding Officer's Certificate of Efficiency. Decisions regarding the award of the bounty are only made at the end of the Training Year, in April of each year. The information provided, therefore, refers to the award of the TA bounty at the end of the last Training Year, 200102.
	Details of the award of the TA bounty to members of each Reserve Field Hospital are as follows:
	
		
			 Field Hospital (V) Personnel 
		
		
			 201 228 
			 202 219 
			 203 136 
			 205 150 
			 205 178 
			 207 160 
			 208 177 
			 212 205 
			 243 190 
			 256 199 
			 Specialist Units 376

Fire Dispute

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) officers and (b) other ranks are scheduled to remain on HM ships (i) Exeter, (ii) Glasgow, (iii) Newcastle, (iv) Lancaster, (v) St. Albans and (vi) Southampton during the current phase of the firefighters' strike.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is shown in the table:
	
		
			  During strike As of Monday 10 February 
			 Ship Officers Ratings Officers Ratings 
		
		
			 Exeter 9 122 13 222 
			 Glasgow 14 135 19 221 
			 Newcastle 6 67 6 67 
			 Lancaster 12 95 17 118 
			 St. Albans 5 53 12 120 
			 Southampton 9 40 17 175 
		
	
	During the last phase of the strike the crews of HMS Lancaster, HMS Southampton, HMS St. Albans, HMS Glasgow and HMS Newcastle, while carrying out watches onboard to monitor safety systems and safety and engineering rounds, they did not live onboard. This is known as a dormant routine. HMS Newcastle remains in this routine.

Friendly Fire Casualties

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with United States officials concerning the prevention of friendly fire casualties in joint US/British military operations; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 10 February 2003
	There have been frequent consultations between the Ministry of Defence and the United States Department of Defense on this topic.

Gas Masks

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what supplies of filter cannisters for gas masks are available; and whether there are sufficient stocks to replace all time-expired cannisters.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 6 February 2003
	For troops deployed on Operation TELIC, some 180,000 in-life filter canisters for gas masks have been issued. Further stocks are held in reserve and more will be ordered. The canisters were originally designed with a 10-year shelf life. Extensive testing (carried out in 1998) enabled us to extend the life to 15 years. Our oldest stocks were manufactured in 1991 and will not therefore expire until 2006. No soldier will commence operations with time-expired canisters.

Gulf Deployment (Equipment)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) desert T-shirts, (b) shower bags and (c) mosquito nets are part of standard equipment issued to Royal Engineers on deployment to the Gulf.

Lewis Moonie: Warm weather T-shirts are part of the desert clothing ensemble being supplied to all service personnel deploying in support of Operation Telic. Shower bags are not part of the standard personal equipment issued to service personnel, but will be available as required. Mosquito nets will be issued as personal equipment when required.

Gulf Deployment (Equipment)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether members of the Royal Engineers about to be deployed to the Gulf have been required to purchase (a) desert T-shirts, (b) shower bags and (c) mosquito nets.

Lewis Moonie: No service personnel about to be deployed in support of Operation Telic are required to purchase desert T-shirts, shower bags or mosquito nets.

Gulf War (Veterans Illnesses)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the budgetary provision for 200203 for expenditure on Gulf War veterans' illnesses research projects is, excluding current and planned MOD research into depleted uranium munitions; and what percentage of the departmental budget this represents;
	(2)  what the budgetary provision for the year 2004 for expenditure on Gulf War veterans' illnesses research projects is, excluding current and planned MOD research into depleted uranium munitions; and what percentage of the departmental budget this will represent.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 10 February 2003
	Budgetary provision for research into Gulf veterans' illnesses issues, excluding research into depleted uranium munitions, in the Ministry of Defence's Short Term Plan 200203 and 200304 is 1,010,000.
	This figure represents approximately 0.004 per cent. of MOD's budget for 200203 and for 200304.

Gulf War (Veterans Illnesses)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to set up a central database of illnesses suffered by Gulf veterans in the UK.

Lewis Moonie: Primary health care records for the 53,000 or so veterans of the 199091 Gulf conflict are held by their doctors and are not accessible centrally for reasons of patient confidentiality. However, the Ministry of Defence maintains some databases that contain health-related information about Gulf veterans. For example, separate databases exist to support pensions casework; processing potential claims for common law compensation and for recording information about patients who have attended the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme. In addition, data are held on cancer registrations and other cancer information. We have no plans to set up a central database of all illnesses suffered by all Gulf veterans. To do so would be costly and would require individual informed consent from Gulf veterans, about 70 per cent. of whom have now left the armed forces and may therefore be difficult to contact.

Gulf War (Veterans Illnesses)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the incidence is of (a) lymphoma, (b) motor neurone disease, (c) diabetes, (d) renal cancer and (e) lymphocytic leukaemia in Gulf War veterans.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence has no centralised system for monitoring and recording the health status of Service and ex-Service personnel. Given the significance attached by veterans to cancer, at MOD's request researchers at the University of Manchester are carrying out a study of the incidence of cancers in Gulf veterans. The study is using data provided by the Office for National Statistics' NHS Central Register (NHSCR) on cancer registrations in England and Wales. The study is due to complete in spring 2003. It is expected that the results will then be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed scientific journal.
	Of the 3,172 Gulf veterans seen at the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP) as at 31 January 2003, 33 cases of diabetes mellitus, 11 cases of lymphoma (including Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's), seven cases of renal cancer (including renal carcinoma, hypernephroma and cancer of the kidney) and two cases of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia had been diagnosed. No cases of acute lymphocytic leukaemia were seen. MOD does maintain central records of mortality data for Gulf veterans and a comparison group, known as the Era cohort. The most recent data were published on 27 January 2003, Official Report, columns 2729WS. This included four deaths from Motor Neurone Disease among Gulf veterans and three among the Era cohort. We are not aware of any further cases.

HMS Nottingham

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2003, Official Report, column 747W, on HMS Nottingham, how the cost of transportation will be funded from existing funds; and what commitments are to be cut as a result.

Adam Ingram: The cost of transporting HMS Nottingham back to the United Kingdom is expected to be funded from the Department's budget for defence-related maritime salvage and recovery activities. There are no plans to cut any commitments.

Iraq

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the strategic lift capability of the armed forces available in the event of a conflict with Iraq.

Adam Ingram: The strategic lift capability available to the armed forces covers both air and surface transport. The RAF Air Transport Fleet comprises of VC10, Tristar and C-17 Globemaster aircraft. The surface capability currently comprises roll on/roll off vessels, available to meet the strategic sealift requirement.

Iraq

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people he estimates have been killed by UK and US forces enforcing the no-fly zone in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 7 February 2003
	We are not aware of any civilian fatalities resulting from responses made in self-defence by coalition aircraft patrolling the No Fly Zones.
	Coalition aircraft responding to attacks by Iraqi air defences attack only carefully selected military targets. Although we conduct extensive analysis after every attack we are not able to confirm numbers of military fatalities.

Naval Co-operation

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent co-operation there has been between former Eastern bloc countries and the (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Marines.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence gave on 28 January 2003, Official Report, column 846W. We have undertaken ships' visits to several former Eastern bloc countries on an opportunity basis; taken former Eastern bloc naval officers on attachment to Royal Navy ships and vice versa; and conducted inward and outward visits by high ranking United Kingdom and former Eastern bloc country Navy and Marines officers. In addition, we have built information exchange links with Russian naval training establishments, and participated in trilateral naval staff talks with the Russians and the US.

Operation Resinate

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the rules of engagement for RAF units deployed to Operation Resinate.

Adam Ingram: Appropriate rules of engagement have been authorised for RAF units deployed on Operation Resinate. Rules of engagement are routinely classified as their disclosure could give an enemy information about the permissions and restrictions imposed on our forces.
	I am therefore withholding details in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Recalled Soldiers

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers discharged under QR 9.413 have been recalled for service in the contingency plans for the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The call out in connection with current contingency preparations has not yet been concluded and so it is not possible to give a final figure at present. However, up to 0900 on Friday 7 February, eight soldiers previously discharged under Queens Regulations for the Army paragraph 9.413 had been identified for call out.

Retirement

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers took (a) premature voluntary retirement and (b) SNLR from the (i) Footguards, (ii) Scots Division, (iii) Queen's Division, (iv) King's Division, (v) Parachute Division, (vi) Light Division, (vii) R Irish (GS), (viii) R Irish (HS) and (ix) Parachute Regiment in 1998.

Lewis Moonie: The number of soldiers, who were discharged in 1998 following the approval of their applications for premature voluntary release, or under Queens Regulations for the Army paragraph 9.414 Services No Longer Required, broken down by Division/Regiment as appropriate, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Division/Regiment Premature voluntary release (on payment) Services no longer required Total 
		
		
			 Guards Division 45 73 118 
			 Scots Division 12 97 109 
			 Queens Division 16 69 85 
			 Kings Division 18 160 178 
			 R Irish 12 13 25 
			 Light Division 19 52 71 
			 Paragraph 8 26 34 
			 Totals 130 490 620 
		
	
	Separate figures for the Royal Irish (GS) and Royal Irish (HS) are not given because this could identify individuals and breach disclosure and confidentiality policy.

Russian Warship Deployment

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what talks his Department has had with Russian officials about possible Russian warship deployments to the Persian Gulf.

Geoff Hoon: I am aware of no such discussions.

Security

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to improve security at his Department's facilities and bases; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence takes the security of its people and assets very seriously. The threat to the Department's facilities and bases, along with the security measures in force at them, is kept under constant review. It is not Government policy to comment on specific security measures and I am therefore withholding that type of information under Exemption 1 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Service Pay

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are warned-off for deployment to the Gulf; and how many of these are in receipt of station specific pay, broken down by category.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 7 February 2003
	Including those forces currently in the region on routine deployments and permanent taskings, a total of around 45,000 servicemen and women have been deployed or are due to deploy to the Middle East region. Detailed planning continues however, and figures are liable to change. Approximately 10,400 of those deploying are in receipt of Local Overseas Allowance.

Tactical Trainer Simulator Centre

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units have made use of the combined arms tactical trainer simulator centre at Warminster.

Adam Ingram: Since its acceptance in May 2002, the following units have used the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer at Warminster (CATT UK); elements of Headquarters 3 (UK) Division, the Queen's Dragoon Guards, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Recce Platoon, the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, the Household Cavalry Regiment, the King's Royal Hussars, the Army Air Corps and elements of the Royal School of Military Engineers.

Vaccine Schedule (Gulf Deployment)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the anthrax vaccine being administered to UK troops deploying to the Gulf is freshly manufactured.

Lewis Moonie: Yes. All anthrax vaccine currently being administered to United Kingdom Service personnel is licensed and will have been manufactured within the last two years.

Vaccine Schedule (Gulf Deployment)

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops deploying to the Gulf have been vaccinated with smallpox vaccine.

Lewis Moonie: We have announced plans to vaccinate a cohort of specialist medical personnel and nuclear, biological and chemical specialists against smallpox. I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement I made on 2 December 2002, Official Report, column 60WS. This is not in response to any specific or immediate threat but a sensible precaution, against a potential global threat, which will enable our armed forces to mount an effective response in the event that smallpox is used as a biological weapon.
	Vaccination against smallpox for this cohort has commenced. As of 7 February 2003, 38 Service personnel have been vaccinated against smallpox of which 24 have deployed or are deploying to the Gulf. We plan to vaccinate the cohort in phases, with the eventual aim of including all relevant specialist nuclear, biological and chemical personnel and all front-line medical personnel who could deploy on operations. A number of those personnel who will be included in the completed cohort have deployed, are deploying or could deploy on operations to the Gulf. We have sufficient stocks of smallpox vaccine to put our contingency plans into action in the event of a confirmed, suspected or threatened release of smallpox.

Western Isles (Rents)

Calum MacDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the rents received by (a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) Defence Estates for the use of its properties in the Western Isles, broken down by (i) location, (ii) payee and (iii) amount paid.

Lewis Moonie: Defence Estates is an agency of the Ministry of Defence. The location of MOD properties in the Western Isles, together with payee and amount paid is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Tenant/payee Location Rent per annum () 
		
		
			 UIST Council of VOL Organisations Balivanich, South UIST 3,600.00 
			 Collins D. J. Balivanich, South UIST 10.00 
			 West Gerinish Township Balivanich, South UIST 10.00 
			 Bank of Scotland Balivanich, South UIST 20.00 
			 UIST Resource Unit Balivanich, South UIST 50.00 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Balivanich, South UIST 23.45 
			 BP Marketing Ltd. Loch Carnan, South UIST 5,000.00 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Loch Carnan, South UIST 2.10 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Loch Carnan, South UIST 0.95 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Loch Carnan, South UIST 12.49 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Loch Carnan, South UIST 12.12 
			 Maclennan Brothers Loch Carnan, South UIST 1.00 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Loch Carnan, South UIST 3.05 
			 Wicks A. J. Loch Carnan, South UIST 5.00 
			 MacGillivary G Loch Carnan, South UIST 10.00 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Stornoway, Airport 29.26 
			 McLeod M Stornoway, Airport 30.00 
			 Melbost and Branahuie Grazings Stornoway, Airport 35.00 
			 Scottish and Southern Energy Plc Tigharry, South UIST 2.10 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board South Clettraval, South UIST 4,000.00 
			 Service Officer Benbecula 1,832.30 
			 Service Other Ranks Benbecula x 6 Ea@1,832.30 
			 Qinetiq Benbecula x 15 Total of 3,044.00

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Arsenic

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent air and land assessments have been made at United Mines in Cornwall to ascertain levels of arsenic.

Alun Michael: As part of the current licence conditions Cornwall Environmental Services monitor quantitative dust levels (PM10 ) emitting from the United Mines site. This information is audited by the Environment Agency and confirmed through weekly site visits to ensure compliance and placed on the Public Register. In response to concerns from local residents, a limited number of samples were taken by the Environment Agency from stockpiles of naturally occurring subsoil at the landfill and from dried mud deposits along the highway adjacent to the site. Results of analysis of the samples showed arsenic in the 200 to 400 milligrams per kilogram range, which is comparable with levels to be found in mineworking areas.
	This information and results of samples from adjacent sites is available on the Public Register (please contact Bodmin Area Customer Services on 01208 78301).
	In addition, Carrick District Council commissioned short-term ambient air monitoring at a site close to United Mines in May and June 2001. Particulate matter (PM10 ) was sampled over a number of days. Concentrations of PM10 at the monitoring site were influenced by the operations at the United Mines site but did not exceed Air Quality Strategy objective limits during the time of sampling. Arsenic was not analysed in the sampled particulate matter. Copies of the monitoring report are available from Carrick District Council.

Brazilian Meat Exports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the quality of Brazilian (a) pigmeat and (b) poultry meat exported to the United Kingdom.

Margaret Beckett: Imports into the United Kingdom of animal products are governed by European Community legislation, which contains provisions to protect both animal and public health. Under these rules only third countries approved by the Commission on the advice of the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health may export into the Community, and only from establishments which meet Community hygiene standards. The lists of countries and establishments allowed to export particular products into the Community which includes Brazil is available on the Commission's website at the following address: http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/listes/tableO.html.
	EU Community rules do not currently permit the import of pigmeat from Brazil.
	Imports of poultry meat from third countries must have been produced to the standards at least equivalent to those laid down in Community legislation. In addition, all consignments of fresh poultry meat imported from third countries are subject to veterinary inspection on entering the EU to ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and to ensure that they have remained in a satisfactory condition during transport.
	Responsibility for ensuring that third countries meet these requirements lies with the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the European Commission. FVO reports are published on their website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/vi/reports/index en.html.
	Recently, unauthorised veterinary medicines namely nitrofurans were found in poultry meat from Brazil. Nitrofurans are not permitted in the EU for use in food producing animals, due to public health concerns. Therefore their residues should not be present in food.
	Community rules have been put in place that require all consignments of all poultry meat from Brazil to be tested for the presence of nitrofurans and their metabolites. The consignments must remain at Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) while testing takes place and are only allowed entry into the Community following favourable test results. If nitrofuran residues are detected, the consignment is destroyed.

Environmental Grants

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on (a) the take-up of environmental grants under the modulation arrangements and (b) the financial arrangements for retaining the amounts available but unclaimed.

Michael Meacher: (a) I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State on 13 January 2003, Official Report, column 76W.
	(b) The modulated amounts are retained by the Rural Payments Agency, and held within their account with Paymaster. Accounts held with Paymaster are not subject to interest. Modulated funds have to be spent within three years of the end of the year in which they are raised.

Environmental Grants

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the administrative procedures required to claim environmental grants under the modulation arrangements; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: In England, modulation receipts are used to fund payments to farmers under agri-environment schemes. The administrative costs of the schemes are not paid for by modulation. This Department is currently reviewing the schemes and part of the review will be looking to simplify the administrative procedures and develop a new entry-level tier which has much lower overhead costs.

EU Minimum Air Quality Legislation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the legislation from the EU on Minimum Air Quality is expected to take effect; and how DEFRA is preparing for this.

Alun Michael: The EU Air Quality Framework Directive (1996/62/EC) and subsequent daughter directives set limit values for various atmospheric pollutants in ambient air. The First (1999/30/EC) and Second Daughter Directives (2000/69/EC) are transposed into UK law. Limit values for sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, lead and carbon monoxide must be met by 1 January 2005. Limit values for benzene, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen must be met by 1 January 2010. The Third Daughter Directive (2002/3/EC), which sets target values for ozone, will be transposed later this year.
	We expect the limit values to be met in a majority of locations within the allotted time scale through existing national measures already in place or planned to come into effect. Where further measures are required, these will be taken forward in partnership with local authorities and other relevant organisations through the National Air Quality Strategy.

Farm Incinerators

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on applications for on-farm incinerators to dispose of specified risk material.

Margaret Beckett: Defra only approves applications for incinerators which fully comply with the legislation. However, the UK is currently awaiting clarification from the European Commission on whether the legislation after 1 May 2003 will permit the incineration of specified risk material in incinerators operating at less than 50kg/hour.

Farm Incinerators

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications her Department received in (a) 200102 and (b) 200203 to operate incinerators to dispose of specified risk material; how many applications in each year (i) were accepted, (ii) were refused and (iii) await determination; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: Applications to operate incinerators to dispose of specified risk material are made at local level. The details requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a central register of operators currently approved to operate specified risk material incinerators indicates that as at 31 January 2003 there were 306 approved incinerators in Great Britain.

Flood Insurance

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the insurance industry during the last six months about the flood defence and flood management policy.

Margaret Beckett: The Association of British Insurers met Ministers in September 2002 to discuss their concerns. Following that meeting the ABI announced a Statement of Principles which sought Government commitment to action in seven areas:
	actual expenditure on flood defences to meet or exceed that set out in the 2002 Spending Review;
	implementation of the improvements in the system of flood defence planning set out in Defra's consultation Flood and coastal defence funding review;
	full implementation of PPG25 (Planning Policy Guidance on Development Planning and Flood Risk), with full reporting of the level of compliance by local authorities and consideration of administrative processes in the planned review of PPG25 in 2004;
	the Environment Agency's flood asset database to be available to insurers by the beginning of 2003, and publicly available as soon as possible;
	early improvements in the flood warning system, and implementation of the Cabinet Office's recent emergency planning review;
	full and detailed consideration, including a benefit/cost analysis, to be given to integrated drainage management for England and Wales, similar to that in operation in Scotland;
	implementation of realistic solutions to sewer flooding including increased investment in improvement programmes and adoption of water companies and sewerage undertakers as statutory consultees in the development planning process.
	The Government said they are happy to work with the ABI towards meeting these principles; we are in regular contact with them and will review progress regularly.

Flood Protection

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to give local authorities a power to require riparian owners to take reasonable measures to ensure adequate levels of flood protection.

Margaret Beckett: The flood and coastal defence operating authorities work under permissive powers meaning that they are under no obligation to undertake such works. In default of action being taken by these authorities, riparian owners are therefore responsible for taking what action they consider necessary (subject in certain cases to the consent of the relevant operating authority) to protect their own properties. I am not, however, persuaded that obligations should be placed on riparian owners in these circumstances.
	There are already powers for the operating authorities, including local authorities, to require riparian owners to take remedial action where the proper flow of water is impeded across their land.

Flood Protection

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the lessons for policy in England and Wales of the Scottish arrangement for local authorities to have a statutory duty for flood protection;
	(2)  if she will make it her policy to place on local authorities a statutory duty for flood protection.

Margaret Beckett: I am aware that some advocate adoption of the Scottish approach for the provision of flood defence. However, flood risk issues in Scotland are different from those in England and Wales. We currently operate on the basis of permissive powers, which allows the Environment Agency and other operating authorities to take action where it is considered justifiable against a range of criteria. This allows taxpayers' money to be spent where it is most needed, an approach overwhelmingly supported by respondents to our recent consultation on the Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Review. I expect to announce conclusions on the review as soon as possible.

Litter

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department is looking at to tackle littering arising from the use of plastic and other non-biodegradable packaging.

Michael Meacher: We have a number of initiatives under way at present, although none are specifically aimed at non-biodegradable packaging.
	At the Urban Summit last October, My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) launched a consultation document called Living PlacesPowers, Rights, Responsibilities. The document sets out 27 options which, if adopted, would make a significant impact on the quality of the local environment. The options include measures to deal with graffiti, fly posting, litter in the aquatic environment, fly tipping and a range of other issues. The consultation closes on 14 February. We will then carefully assess consultees comments and consider, with other Government Departments as necessary, how best to take matters forward.
	Defra has provided the environmental charity EnCams with 1 million to develop a Pathfinder program. This involves 27 local authorities in a major programme to draw up good practice guidelines over a wide range of local environmental quality issues. The program is almost completed and preliminary assessments indicate that it has been a success at ground level. Local authorities have been able to use the program to test innovative techniques for improving service delivery and communicating with customers. From over 30 projects, a number have emerged that are worthy of consideration for further development, including the district level Local Environmental Quality Survey which is being developed by EnCams on behalf of Defra.
	We have been in discussions with fast food operators and other key stakeholders about the problems associated with fast food waste. We are considering options and will come forward with proposals shortly.
	We strongly support the development of biodegradable plastics made from non-fossil sources, providing these will actually be composted and not sent to landfill. A substitute for plastic made from potato starch is now being developed, which is being used for some types of packaging by some retailers. Such material is entirely biodegradable and can be composted. A number of companies are marketing degradable plastics technology and products manufactured from these materials.

Ministerial Travel

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times since 2001 she has taken flights on departmental duties in the UK; how many of these were (a) charter flights, (b) first or club class and (c) by helicopter; and who accompanied her on each trip.

Margaret Beckett: Since June 2001, I have made three trips on departmental duties within the UK which have involved business class air travel. This included a return journey from London to Belfast, where I was accompanied by a private secretary and a press officer; a single journey from London to Newquay, where I was accompanied by my husband; and a single journey from London to Leeds, where I was accompanied by my husband, a private secretary, a special adviser and a press officer.
	All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House,

National Parks and Marine Nature Reserves

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress the Government has made since 1997 in the creation of new national parks and marine nature reserves.

Alun Michael: The Countryside Agency submitted a Designation Order to the Secretary of State for a New Forest National Park in February 2002. A public inquiry into it started last October and is due to end in April. A Designation Order for a South Downs National Park was submitted in February 2003 and is currently subject to public consultation. If there are, as expected, objections to the Order by any of the local authorities, a public inquiry will be held.
	No new Marine Nature Reserves have been created since 1997 but the Government are committed to a range of initiatives aimed at protecting the marine environment as outlined in the first Marine Stewardship ReportSafeguarding Our Seas: A Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of our Marine Environment. This includes continuing to protect important marine species and habitats under the Habitats and Birds Directives, including extending the protection afforded by these Directives to offshore areas. We are also looking at ways to improve marine nature conservation through our Review of Marine Nature Conservation.

Nuclear Accident

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's role is in the event of a nuclear accident.

Michael Meacher: Defra has Lead Department responsibilities for co-ordinating the Government's response to a nuclear accident overseas. This will include issuing appropriate warning messages to official bodies and the public and co-ordinating decision-making on any actions necessary to safeguard public health and other necessary interests. In the event of accidents at UK civil nuclear sites, military sites or weapons accidents, accidents involving radioactive materials in transit, or accidents arising from a nuclear powered satellite falling to earth, the nominated Lead Department would be the Department of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Defence, Department for Transport and Home Office respectively. In these accident scenarios, Defra would act in a supporting capacity to the nominated Lead Department.
	Detailed explanations as to the roles of Government Departments and Agencies in the event of a nuclear accident are set out in the Home Office booklet Dealing with Disaster and the HSE booklet Arrangements for Responding to Nuclear Accidents. Both are HMSO publications and copies are held in the Library.

Radioactive Waste

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what she estimates the volume in cubic metres will be of (a) high level, (b) intermediate level and (c) low level stocks of radioactive waste in (i) 2010, (ii) 2020 and (iii) 2030, assuming projected closure of nuclear power stations occurs.

Michael Meacher: Data contained in the 2001 UK Radioactive Waste Inventory, published jointly by my Department and Nirex, indicates that the stocks of high and intermediate level radioactive waste, expressed in cubic metres when in conditioned form, will be:
	
		
			  (a) HLW (b) ILW 
		
		
			 2010 1,348 106,984 
			 2020 1,510 127,817 
			 2030 1,510 142,642 
		
	
	The volumes of low level waste (LLW) are less certain since LLW has a disposal route and the quantities in stock fluctuate markedly depending on the timing of transfers to Drigg. 15,000 cubic metres was the stock volume of LLW reported in the inventory for 1 April 2001.

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether British Nuclear Fuels has provided her Department with a timetable of dates on which radioactive waste arising from the reprocessing of foreign spent nuclear fuel will be returned to country of origin.

Michael Meacher: British Nuclear Fuels plc has not provided such a timetable to DEFRA.

Regional Agencies (Eastern Region)

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the locations of the offices of regional bodies and agencies in the Eastern region for which her Department is responsible, broken down by county.

Alun Michael: I list in the following table the regional bodies and Defra Agencies by County in the Eastern Region. Locations of NDPBs that have supra regional responsibilities but are located in Eastern Region have been excluded.
	
		
			 County Address Occupier 
		
		
			 Bedford Wrest Park, Silsoe, Beds, MK45 4HS EMI 
			
			 Cambridge Government Buildings, Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge, Cambs, CB2 2DR RPA, RDS, HMI, EMI, PHSI 
			  Chequers Court, St. Germaine Street, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE18 6LT SVS 
			  Whitehouse Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, Cambs, CBS OLF PVS 
			  First Floor Unit, 2 Manor Grove Business Centre, Vicarage Farm Road, Peterborough, Cambs, PE15 5UH Legal 
			
			 Essex Fish Laboratories, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CMO 8HA CEFAS 
			  Beeches Road Government Buildings, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 2RU SVS, EMI, PHSI, RPA 
			  Office Suite 3 St. Andrews House, Opposite 22 Berth Tilbury Freeport, Essex, RM18 7HX HMI 
			  Hamilton House, Parkeston Quay Rooms G8  G9, Ground Floor, Harwich, Essex, Fl 
			  Unit 10, Springfield Nursery Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CMO 8DA CEFAS 
			
			 Hertfordshire First Floor, Richmond House, Walkern Road, Stevenage Old Town, Herts, SG1 3QP SVS, HMI 
			
			 Norfolk Vancouver House, County Court Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5EH PHSI, RDS, Fl, HMI 
			  122A Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1RN EMI, PHSI, RDS, SVS, RPA 
			
			 Suffolk Fish Lab Stores Units, 712 Pinbush Drive, South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33NL CEFAS 
			  Fisheries Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 OHT CEFAS 
			  North Quay, Lowestoft Docks, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR321BN CEFAS 
			  Portakabin, Fish Quay, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 OHT CEFAS 
			  100 Southgate Street Government Buildings, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2AQ PHSI, SVS, RDS, RPA 
			  Baltic Chambers, 2 Waveney Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1BN Fl 
			  Vic Rougham Hill, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2RT VLA 
			  St. Clare House, Princes Street, Greyriars, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1LW HMI, EMI 
			  Room 516 Trelawny House, The Dock, Felixtowe, Suffolk, IP1 8SB PHSI 
		
	
	Notes:
	EMIEgg Marketing Inspectorate
	RPARural Payments Agency
	RDSRural Development Service
	HMIHorticultural Marketing Inspectorate
	PHSIPlant Health and Seeds Inspectorate
	PVSPlant Variety and Seeds Inspectorate
	LegalDefra Legal Department
	SVSState Veterinary Service
	FIFisheries Inspectorate
	VLAVeterinary Laboratories Agency

Theft and Fraud

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow), 20 January 2003, Official Report, column 103W, if she will estimate the cost of theft and fraud to each of her Department's agencies for the financial year 200102.

Margaret Beckett: The Department's records for the financial year 200102 show that of its agencies the Rural Payments Agency reported theft with a cost of 226,000. The Department's other agencies each reported no cost for theft and fraud.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when all government suppliers will be issued with guidance regarding government requirements to procure timber from legal and sustainable sources.

Michael Meacher: I wrote to Green Ministers in May 2002 enclosing a model specification clause that will help central departments draft their contracts for procuring timber and timber products. The model specification clause was also included in an Information Note that the Treasury's Office of Government Commerce issued in November to remind Departments of the Government's policy on the procurement of timber. It has provided both buyers and suppliers with some clarification of the Government's requirements for timber.
	The current guidance does need improving. The Government intends tightening up the definition of acceptable standards for legal timber and forest management and will do more to determine how suppliers' claims for compliance can be assessed efficiently and effectively. The Government is in the process of tendering to set up a central point of expertise on timber to address these issues and other related matters. I cannot be precise about when the centre of expertise will be ready to issue improved guidance but as an indication I would expect it to be later this year.

Village Halls

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many village halls there are (a) in the UK, (b) in the north-west of England and (c) Lancashire; and how many village halls were operating in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000, (v) 2001 and (vi) 2002.

Alun Michael: In 1998 Action with Communities in Rural England calculated that there were around 8,900 village halls and similar community buildings in rural England; no analysis of the actual number of village halls at regional or county level, and of the change from year to year, is available centrally.
	The Countryside Agency's report Rural Services in 2000 reveals that in 2000 84.3 per cent. of those parishes in the north-west who responded to their survey had either a village hall or other community meeting place compared with 85 per cent. for England.
	Further detailed information about the north-west is available at: http://www.countryside.gov.uk/regional/pdfs/NWRSS.pdf.

Village Halls

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many village halls have been in operation every year since 1997 in (a) the East of England, (b) Suffolk and (c) the constituency of Bury St Edmunds.

Alun Michael: In 1998 Action with Communities in Rural England calculated that there were around 8,900 village halls and similar community buildings in rural England; No analysis of the actual number of village halls at regional or county level, and of the change from year to year, is available centrally.
	The Countryside Agency's report Rural Services in 2000 reveals that in 2000 88.1 per cent. of those parishes in the East of England who responded to their survey had either a village hall or other community meeting place compared with 85 per cent. for England as a whole. The same survey revealed that 68.8 per cent. of settlements had a village or community hall compared with 52 per cent. for England.
	Further detailed information about the East of England is available at: http://www.countryside.gov.uk/regional/pdfs/EofERSS.pdf

Waste Incinerator Directive

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many waste incinerators in the UK emit levels of dioxins and other pollutants above those permitted by the EU Waste Incinerator Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste will apply from 28 December 2005 to incinerators existing before 28 December 2002. The directive's limits for pollutants cover emissions both to air and to water and will be relatively complex in their application, depending in part on the nature of the incinerator. A UK assessment carried out during the negotiation of the directive indicated that there was already a high level of compliance with the limits. In particular, the 11 municipal waste incinerators in England all now already comply with the directive's limit of 0.1 ng/m 3 for dioxins emissions.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Local Government Funding

Francis Maude: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of total public spending consisted of spending by local authorities in each of the past five years.

Paul Boateng: I have been asked to reply.
	Figures for local authority own spending and total managed expenditure for the past five years are available on the public spending pages on the Treasury public website, and are updated every time the Office for National Statistics revises these data. The website address is: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/Documents/Public Spending and Services/pss index.cfm

Unfair Terms Regulations

Bridget Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) local authority and (b) housing association tenancy agreements have been received by the OFT for investigation under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts regulations.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	This historic information is not available as records are not kept by OFT at this level of detail. But OFT believe the numbers involved to be small. OFT are currently considering three complaints about local authority tenancy agreements and another six complaints about housing association tenancy agreements.

Unfair Terms Regulations

Bridget Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (a) how many terms and (b) what type of terms were revised in the Blyth Valley Borough Council tenancy agreement, as reported in the Office of Fair Trading's Unfair Contract Terms bulletin number 18.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The published Bulletin shows that 10 terms were revised following action by the Director General of Fair Trading. The terms revised were those considered to have some potential for unfairness. They included clauses binding tenants to other hidden terms, a potential financial penalty, exclusions or limitations on the legal rights of the tenant, an unrestricted right to increase the rent, a term allowing the Council excessive discretion to decide whether the tenant was in breach of the agreement, a term unfairly transferring risk to the tenant and a term which did not meet the requirement that terms be written in plain language.

TREASURY

Independent Financial Advisers

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of independent financial advisers unable to secure professional indemnity insurance.

Ruth Kelly: The FSA tell me that as at 27 January 2003, 76 per cent. of Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) (whose Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) expired between 1 September and 30 November 2002) have told the FSA that they have obtained cover.
	An analysis of the information they provided shows that 88 per cent. of IFAs due to renew their cover in September have done so. The figure for October is 85 per cent. and November 66 per cent.
	This does not necessarily mean that the other IFAs have not got cover. The FSA tell me that IFAs are reluctant to confirm that they have cover until they have received a cover note even though they may have agreed terms with their broker. This means that there is usually a gap between the expiry of an IFA's PII policy and the receipt of confirmation that the policy has been renewed by the IFA. The FSA are contacting the remaining firms to establish their position.

Independent Financial Advisers

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of capacity within the professional indemnity insurance market for independent financial advisers.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) tell me that they speak to Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) providers and brokers regularly, and are keeping in close touch with the market.
	The FSA have found that 21 insurers have provided cover between September and December 2002. 87 per cent. of policies have been through three main providers.
	The FSA are monitoring the market and expect that that more capacity will be introduced soon. This should increase competition and drive down the price of cover. We are also hopeful that some of the proposals and explanations in the FSA's consultation paper 169 (Professional Indemnity Insurance for Personal Investment Firms: Consultation on Rule Changes; and Discussion of Other Policy Options) will encourage providers to write more cover.

Independent Financial Advisers

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the proportion of independent financial advisers unable to secure professional indemnity insurance who have been refused because they have recommended split capital trusts.

Ruth Kelly: Underwriters will take a range of factors into account when deciding whether to provide insurance cover. It is not possible to attribute individual underwriting decisions to a single cause.

Money Laundering

Paul Tyler: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from professional bodies relating to the use of solicitors' offices as centres for money laundering.

Ruth Kelly: We are currently consulting on the new money laundering regulations.
	We have had discussions with the Law Society about the basis on which the UK will implement the EU 2nd money laundering directive which extends money laundering obligations to lawyers. The UK already has a robust system and requires lawyers to file suspicious transaction reports covering money laundering unless excepted by legal professional privilege. The new directive will, through the proposed money laundering regulations 2003, extend various other obligations such as appointment of a Money Laundering Reporting Officer, customer identification and reporting, to lawyers that will further strengthen the UK system.

Barnett Formula

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to (a) review, (b) revise and (c) replace the Barnett Formula for the allocation of public expenditure to (i) Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland.

Paul Boateng: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts) on 3 February 2003, Official Report, column 27W.

Child Care Tax Credit

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend the child care tax credit to informal carers of children.

Dawn Primarolo: The child care tax credit in the working families' tax credit supports families who pay for approved child care regulated by the appropriate authorities who provide assurance of quality and safety. The eligibility criteria for the child care tax credit are kept under constant review. With the introduction of the working tax credit in April, support will also be available for approved child care provided in the child's own home.

Child Poverty

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which definition of poverty the Government will use to assess progress in meeting its targets to reduce child poverty.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government have a PSA target to reduce the number of children in low-income households by a quarter by 200405 compared with 199899, as a contribution towards the broader target of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020. The technical note for this PSA, published on DWP and HMT websites, provides details. Low-income households are defined as those with less than 60 per cent. of contemporary median income. Progress is being measured on both a before housing costs and an after housing costs basis.
	Low income is of course central to poverty. But poverty is a complex, multi-dimensional issue, affecting many other aspects of children's lives, including health, housing, the quality of their environment and opportunities to learn. In April 2002 the Government launched a consultation exercise to decide the best way to measure poverty in the long term, to help target policies and enable the Government to be held to account over its long-term targets. Results will be published by spring 2003.

Compulsory Pensions

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on making individual pension schemes compulsory.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	We believe that the current voluntarist approach for occupational and personal pensions is the right way forward considering the UK's pension system. The UK has a long tradition of voluntary partnership between individuals, employers, financial services industry and the Government. The continued success of this partnership depends on all partners playing their part. Our Green Paper, Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement (Cm5677), contained proposals to allow employers to make membership of their scheme a condition of employment for all new employees. The Green Paper also announced the setting up of an independent pensions commission, which will be chaired by Adair Turner, to monitor and assess trends in occupational and private pensions and long-term saving. On the basis of this assessment we will decide whether there is a case for moving beyond the current voluntarist approach.

Computer Misuse

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of the Inland Revenue computer database of individuals' tax records;
	(2)  what plans he has to investigate the misuse of the Inland Revenue computer database of individuals' tax records;
	(3)  what safeguards are in place to prevent breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998 by Inland Revenue staff.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue takes the misuse of any of its computer systems, and the confidentiality of the information it holds on its customers, extremely seriously. The Department can and does track computer use by its staff and takes a very hard line with anyone who misuses its computer systems, with sanctions up to and including dismissal and prosecution. Its procedures for monitoring access to its computer systems are kept constantly under review.

Disabled Children

Patsy Calton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to make an economic analysis of the investment required to ensure that government programmes aimed at lifting children out of poverty reach disabled children.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government's strategy for tackling child poverty-for all children-is set out in the 2001 Pre-Budget Report document Tackling child poverty: giving every child the best possible start in life. This includes measures to guarantee a decent family income for families with disabled children, and initiatives to ensure these families have access to high-quality public services.
	In recognition of the fact that families with disabled children need extra help, in April 2002 the disabled child premium was increased by 5 a week on top of the normal uprating, to 35.50. In April 2003, it will rise again by 5 above inflation, to more than 40 a week on top of basic Income Support or tax credits, benefiting around 80,000 children. In addition, the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance was extended to three and four-year-olds in April 2002, providing an extra 39.30 a week to those families.
	The Government has also introduced a number of measures to improve the level of public service support available to families with disabled children. The Schools Access Initiative programme provides a programme of funding to help mainstream schools provide help to pupils with disabilities. Quality Protects, a five year initiative to improve services and outcomes for children in need, also takes forward projects to support disabled children and their families. And on its introduction by the end of this year the Children's National Service Framework will set general principles and standards for children's services, including services for children with disabilities and special needs.

Equitable Life

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what indications he has received from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on when he can expect to receive his report into Equitable Life.

Ruth Kelly: The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration is an Officer of the House and, as such, is independent of the Government. It is, therefore, entirely a matter for the Commissioner to determine the timetable for producing her report into Equitable Life.
	The Commissioner wrote to all Members on 5 December 2002 with an update on the progress of her investigation into Equitable Life. In that letter she said that she did not expect to report before June 2003.

Euro

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 3 February 2003 Official Report, column 29W, on the euro, for what reason he was unable to state who is undertaking the background studies; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the comments I made to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) during the Adjournment Debate on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 268.

Formal Economy

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people the Inland Revenue moved from the informal to the formal economy in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: In his report, The Informal Economy in March 2000, Lord Grabiner defined the informal economy as usually meaning any undeclared economic activity. There is no comprehensive information about the number of people who as a result of the Inland Revenue's efforts, especially in deterring non-compliance, have declared economic activity that might have gone undeclared in the past.
	Following Lord Grabiner's report, the Inland Revenue set out in their last two annual reports details of the number of people who had been working in the informal economy and whom they subsequently identified and registered as self assessment taxpayers. Copies of Inland Revenue annual reports are in the House of Commons Library.

Landfill

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what modelling his Department has carried out on the level of landfill tax necessary to meet the legal obligations of the landfill directive (a) to reduce the landfilling of biodegradable waste to 75 per cent. of that of 1995 levels by 2006, (b) to reduce the landfilling of biodegradable waste to 50 per cent. of that of 1995 levels by 2009 and (c) to reduce the landfilling of biodegradable waste to 33 per cent. of that of 1995 levels by 2016.

John Healey: Extensive modelling has been carried out which shows that a standard landfill tax rate of 35 per tonne is necessary in the medium to long term to achieve significant reductions in waste disposed at landfill, and the corresponding economic and environmental benefits. This is reflected in paragraph 7.51 of the 2002 pre- Budget report. The Government are developing a comprehensive package of policies, in response to those recommended in the recent Cabinet Office Strategy Unit report, to ensure that the targets set by the landfill directive are met. This will include the system of tradable landfill allowances provided for by the Waste and Emissions Trading Bill and the reforms of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme as well as the proposed increases in the landfill tax.

Non-compliance Action

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional revenue has been raised in each of the last 10 years as a consequence of non-compliance action taken by the Inland Revenue, broken down by (a) the large business office, (b) tax offices and (c) other specialist offices; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is set out each year in the Inland Revenue annual report, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.

Renewable Energy

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes in unit payments for electricity have resulted from the switch by (a) Customs and Excise and (b) the Office for National Statistics to purchasing renewable energy which is exempt from the climate change levy.

John Healey: The changes in unit payment at designated green sites are as follows:
	(a) Customs and Excise0.086 per cent. on average higher than in 2001.
	(b) Office for National Statistics0.089 per cent. higher than at April 2000. These increases in unit prices are more than offset by reductions achieved by qualifying for CCL exemptions.

Stability and Growth Pact

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of whether Britain's fiscal stance meets the Stability and Growth Pact.

Ruth Kelly: As set out in the 2002 Pre-Budget Report and the 2002 UK Convergence Programmesubmitted in line with the Stability and Growth Pact, the UK's latest fiscal projections are consistent with a prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact, which takes into account the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment.

Stamp Duty

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the likely effect of abolition of stamp duty on (a) share transactions and (b) the UK economy.

Ruth Kelly: The 2002 Pre-Budget forecast of revenue from duty on transactions in shares, and hence the direct yield cost of abolition, is 2.2 billion in 200304. This estimate makes no allowance for the effect on other taxes arising from the wider impact abolition may have on the economy.
	We have been presented with various estimates of the impact on the economy, but in practice there is no convincing evidence that stamp duty on shares significantly affects either UK companies or the UK markets. As with all taxes, stamp duty on shares has to be understood in the context of the revenue raised, which would have to be found elsewhere if the tax were abolished.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Commonwealth Development CorporationVehicle Fleet

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  at what annual rate the Commonwealth Development Corporation renews its vehicle fleet, broken down by volume and percentage for each category of vehicle, type of power unit, and type of fuel;
	(2)  what proportion of vehicles each NHS trust renewed in their vehicle fleets, broken down by volume and percentage for each trust and by category of vehicle, type of power unit, and type of fuel in each of the last five years.

Clare Short: holding answer 10 February 2003
	CDC Group plc (formerly the Commonwealth Development Corporation) own one saloon-car in the UK, which is renewed every four years. They do not maintain detailed central records of the vehicles operated by their overseas offices and it would incur disproportionate cost to collect this information.

EU Aid Budget

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are in place to ensure that the annual aid budget of the European Union is spent properly.

Clare Short: In November 2000 we secured a commitment by the European Commission that poverty reduction should be the central objective of the EC's programmes in developing countries. We also worked with others to put in place a reform package which is designed to simplify the commission's aid instruments, reduce the number of budget lines and work through country strategies aligned to partner country poverty reduction strategy plans. The commission spent 43 per cent. of its overseas development assistance in 2001 in low income countries. This is a poor allocation of aid in terms of poverty reduction effectiveness. We are working to try to help ensure that aid is spent more effectively, mainly by trying to influence the annual budget setting process, where increasing the proportion of assistance to Asia, and to key international initiatives like the Global Health Fund are priorities.
	My Department plays a full part in the scrutiny of strategies at the regional and country levels and responds to the commission's Annual Report on its operations and the opinions of the European Court of Auditors. We maintain a close dialogue with the institutions in Brussels and in-country to strengthen sector and programme priorities and implementation.

Renewable Energy

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes in unit payments for electricity have resulted from the switch by her Department to purchasing renewable energy which is exempt from the Climate Change Levy.

Clare Short: Since July 2002 the supply of DFID's electricity to our London headquarters has been under a new contract which provides that 100 per cent. of the electricity is generated from renewable sources. Because of the market at the time, this contract also resulted in a decrease in the unit cost over the previous arrangement from 4p KWH plus climate change levy 0.43p, total 4.43p KWH to 2.79p KWH plus 0.43p green levy for renewable, total 3.22p KWH, all plus VAT.

Zimbabwe

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of reports from Zimbabwe that maize earmarked for starving Zimbabweans is unaccounted for; what representations she (a) has made and (b) plans to make to the World Food Programme on this matter; what assessment she has made of the impact this will have on the people of Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: A recent report by the Zimbabwe National Vulnerability Assessment Committee notes an apparent discrepancy of around 200,000 tonnes of maize available from all sources for the period April to December 2002 and the actual distribution of food in the country. It is important to be clear that this discrepancy relates to government distributed food, there is no discrepancy in donor funded imports and food distributions made through non-governmental organisations.
	The discrepancy may partly arise from ill judged official price controls that make maize more valuable to the producer if exported. We expect that a proportion of the domestic maize harvest will have been smuggled out of Zimbabwe. It is not possible to quantify this with any accuracy.
	The Government of Zimbabwe reports that it has imported 650,000 tonnes of maize in the period and has distributed it through the national Grain Marketing Board. The UN has offered to assist in the validation of GMB figures, and has sought clarification of food kept for strategic purposes such as feeding the armed forces, or sold at port of entry to pay for transport and milling. The UN is seeking clarification on behalf of the international community and to help ensure that adequate levels of assistance reach vulnerable Zimbabweans.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what the basis is of his assertion in his statement on Iraq on 3 February that the disarming of South Africa of its nuclear weapons, along with the verification of this action, took a matter of weeks.

Tony Blair: The reference in my statement of 3 February was intended to illustrate that the process of disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction need not be a long drawn out one, provided Iraq gives full co-operation with the UN inspection teams, as required under UNSCR 1441. It need only be a matter of weeks for the UN inspectors to be able to report that Iraq is demonstrating a firm commitment to full and active co-operation with UN inspectors.
	In March 1993 the South African Government invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to report on the status of their former nuclear weapons programme. An IAEA technical team visited South Africa for this purpose from 22 April to 4 May and its preliminary assessment was reported to the board that month. A final assessment was made to the board in September 1993.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Accountancy Foundation

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research she (a) commissioned and (b) plans to commission into the effectiveness of the Accountancy Foundation in regulating the accountancy profession; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The review of the regulatory regime of the accountancy profession was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 24 July 2002. Its remit was to review the current arrangements for the regulation of the accountancy and audit professions; to consider whether revised arrangements and structures are necessary to provide assurance to the public that these are effective; and, if so, to recommend what form they should take. The review, which was the subject of a wide public consultation, focused on the role of the Accountancy Foundation and its related bodies in overseeing the regulatory functions of the professional accountancy bodies.
	In her statement to Parliament on 29 January my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said that the Financial Reporting Council will assume the functions of the Accountancy Foundation. The Government has no further plans to commission research into the effectiveness of the Accountancy Foundation.

Accountancy Foundation

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the investigation and discipline board of the Accountancy Foundation will be established; and what research she will be commissioning into its effectiveness.

Melanie Johnson: The Department of Trade and Industry is chairing a steering group to drive forward implementation of all the recommendations of the review of the regulatory regime of the accountancy profession, including transferring the functions of the existing Investigation and Discipline Board (IDB) within the new regulatory body. The new arrangements will be brought into operation as quickly and effectively as possible.
	One of the recommendations of the review is that the Financial Reporting Council should make appropriate formal arrangements to account to stakeholders for delivery of its objectives. The Government currently has no plans to carry out its own research into the effectiveness of the IDB.

Intellectual Property Rights

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the (a) Bar Council and (b) Law Society on the European Commission's proposal for a directive to harmonise national laws on the means of enforcing intellectual property rights and to establish a general framework for the exchange of information between the responsible national authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on measures and procedures to ensure the enforcement of intellectual property rights on 30 January (a provisional text can be found at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/internal/market/en/intprop/news/index.htm). We will consult interested parties including the Bar Council and the Law Society when the Commission makes the final text available. In the absence of a finalised proposal my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not had any recent discussions with the Bar Council or Law Society.

Arms Exports

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of her Department's financial support for arms exports in each year from 199293 to 200405; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The Department does not offer financial support for arms exports. This is a matter for the Ministry of Defence and its Defence Exports Service Organisation.

Defence Research and Development

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of her Department's total expenditure on defence research and development in each year from 199293 to 200405 (planned); and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: The Department does not fund defence related research. Expenditure on RD to meet the UK's defence needs is a matter for the Ministry of Defence. I understand that the Ministry's Defence Analytical Services Agency, whose website is at http://www. dasa.mod.uk produces defence related statistics, including information on defence RD expenditure.

Space Programmes Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of her Department's total spending on space programmes in each year from 199091 to 200405 (planned); and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The figures below list the total spending on space programmes for the financial years 199091 to 200405 by the DTI and the Office of Science and Technology, which funds the space activities of the Natural Environment Research Council and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (and funded the latter's predecessor, the Science and Engineering Research Council, until 1993). The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry assumed responsibility for the Office of Science and Technology in 1995.
	
		
			 Financial Year Civil Space Expenditure million Financial Year Civil Space Expenditure million 
		
		
			 199091 131 199899 138 
			 199192 141 19992000 138 
			 199293 149 200001 143 
			 199394 147 200102 142 
			 199495 158 200203 150 
			 199596 163 200304 151 
			 199697 167 200405 146 
			 199798 159   
		
	
	Notes: Expenditure 199001 to 19992000 on a cash basis
	Expenditure for 200001 onwards on a full resource accounting and budgeting basis.

Manufacturing Advisory Service

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the cost of the Manufacturing Advisory Service for each year from 19992000 to 200405 (planned).

Alan Johnson: The total financial liability for the Department (funded from the Innovation Budget) is 14.2 million (800,000 within budget) as summarised by year in the following table.
	
		
			  19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 Total 
		
		
			 RCME 0 0 561 4,745 4,351 3,319 12,976 
			 National network 0 0 472 352 344 40 1,208 
			 Overall total 0 0 1,033 5,097 4,695 3,359 14,184

Chemical Industry

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of her Department's spending on support for the chemical industry in each year from 200001 to 200405 (planned); what the major elements are of this expenditure; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Johnson: Total DTI support relevant to the chemicals industry (excluding the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors) is set out in the table:
	
		
			 Financial year Total ( million) 
		
		
			 200001  
			 Actual 28.2 
			 200102  
			 Actual 37.7 
			 200203  
			 Budget 36.5 
			 200304  
			 Plans 21.5 
			 200405  
			 Plans 14.7 
		
	
	The major elements of this funding are:
	(a) grants for research funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This includes collaborative research between universities and industry and fundamental research under its chemistry programme relevant to the chemicals sector; (b) DTI's innovation programmes, including SMART awards, Faradays and the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence;
	(c) Regional selective assistance (RSA) to specific companies; and
	(d) support for Laboratory of the Government Chemist.
	The chemicals industry also benefits from support from the regional development agencies, and generic support through channels such as the Small Business Service and the Manufacturing Advisory Service. Information on this support is not available for specific sectors.
	Notes:
	1. Information on detailed annual spend by EPSRC is not available on a sectoral basis over this period. The figures provided include estimates of annual spending of 10.6 million on research and 2.1 million on training packages, based on the proportion spent on chemicals in 2000.
	2. Support through RSA is related to applications for support by specific companies. Figures for this element are not therefore available for future years.
	3. DTI support for the chemicals sector is being reviewed along with the rest of the Department's business support. A newly created Investment Committee will make recommendations for future business support activities in order to drive up productivity. Given these changes it is difficult to predict overall spending for 200304 and 200405.

Chemical Industry

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of total spending by British Trade International in each year from 199091 to 200405 (planned).

Patricia Hewitt: Funding of British Trade International since its establishment in May 1999 is as follows:
	
		
			 Budget millions 19992000 Outturn 200001 Outturn 200102 Outturn 200203 Plans 200304 Plans 200405 Plans 
		
		
			 Programme 72 93 76 92 96 97 
			 Admin   
			 DTI 28 31 27 35 35 38 
			 FCO n/a 156 136 140 141 143 
			 Capital DTI 0 0 5 3 0 0 
			 FCO n/a 0 1 1 0 0 
		
	
	FCO admin spend for 200102 represents the net operating costs as set out in the FCO Expenditure Allocation Report 200102. The FCO's budget for British Trade International for 200304 onwards has not yet been set; the above figures are estimates. There are no comparable FCO figures available for 19992000.

E-Commerce

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total volume was of UK e-commerce transactions in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 10 February 2003
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) e-commerce survey of UK businesses reports on the value of sales made over the internet by UK businesses (excluding the financial sector).
	Figures for 2002 are not yet available; they are due to be published by ONS in October this year.
	For 2001, the survey showed a total of 18.4 billion sales, accounting for 1 per cent. of the total value of sales for those sectors covered.
	For 2000, the survey showed a total of 12 billion sales over the internet. However, the 2000 survey covered only businesses with 10 employees or more. The corresponding figure for 2001 for businesses with 10 employees or more was 17 billion.

E-Commerce

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the aims of the 1999 DTI report to make Britain the best environment in the world for e-commerce by 2002, set out in e-commerce @ its.best.uk fig. 1.12, page 3, has been met.

Stephen Timms: The International Benchmarking Study 2000 prepared by Booz Alien Hamilton for the Office of the e-Envoy and the DTI ranks the UK as having the second best environment in the world for e-commerce, second only to the USA.
	The study attributes this achievement to strong venture capital markets, competitive internet access costs on broadband and dial up, strong leadership of the e-agenda and a very supportive regulatory environment. UK broadband prices have reduced from among the most expensive in the G7 to amongst the cheapest.

Ministerial Travel

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times since 2001 she has taken flights on departmental duties in the UK; how many of these were (a) charter flights, (b) first or club class and (c) by helicopter; and who accompanied her on each trip.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 334W.

Nuclear Industry

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much (a) low, (b) intermediate and (c) high level waste will be produced as a result of BNFL's continued reprocessing of spent fuel from British Energy's advanced gas-cooled reactors.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	There are contracts for the reprocessing of about 65 per cent. of the spent fuel from British Energy's advanced gas-cooled reactors. If all of the spent fuel was reprocessed, conditioned waste volumes are estimated to be a maximum of about 28,000 m 3 of low-level waste, 14,000 m 3 of intermediate-level waste and 470 m 3 of high-level waste.

Post Office Closures

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) rural and (b) urban post offices have closed in each of the last 12 months (i) in total and (ii) broken down by region.

Stephen Timms: I understand from Post Office Ltd. that the information requested is available only on a quarterly basis giving net closures/openings as follows:
	
		
			 Year: 2002   JanuaryMarch   AprilJune   JulySeptember   OctoberDecember 
			 Region/Country Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural 
		
		
			 North East - - 2 1 - - 1 1 
			 North West 1 1 3 (4)1 8 6 5 2 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 2 (4)5 - (5)2 1 12 7 (4)6 
			 West Midlands 2 3 3 2 7 2 4 (4)3 
			 South West - (4)7 1 7 3 3 3 2 
			 South East 3 (5)36 7 6 2 2 3 (4)9 
			 London 7 - 8 - (4)1 1 21 - 
			 East of England - - 3 5 2 10 2 (4)2 
			 East Midlands 2 2 8 4 1 3 5 - 
			 Northern Ireland 4 (4)1 (4)1 - 3 2 1 1 
			 Scotland 4 6 1 4 - (4)4 1 1 
			 Wales 2 8 1 4 - (4)2 - - 
			 Total 27 43 36 30 26 35 53 (4),(6)13 
		
	
	(4) Net openings
	(5) Includes 26 locations served by mobile office
	(6) Includes 11 reopenings not recorded in data for the previous two quarters

Post Offices (Yorkshire)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the financial loss to post offices in (a) Haltemprice and Howden and (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire as a result of the change in the payment of benefits from over-the-counter to direct bank transfer.

Stephen Timms: No such assessment has been made. The migration of benefit payment to ACT begins this year and the Post Office's strategy is to respond to that challenge with a range of banking and other services. How the migration of benefit payments affects the revenue of post offices will depend on a number of factors, not least how benefit recipients and other post office customers respond to change. The income from the various contracts Post Office Ltd. has with the spending Departments and various financial institutions, and the remuneration of sub-postmasters for banking services, is a commercial matter between the parties.

Stop Now Orders

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulations injunctions have been sought against companies and individuals since March 2002, broken down by each UK public qualified entity.

Patricia Hewitt: Since March 2002, six Stop Now Orders have been sought and obtained from the courts. Four of these were obtained by Trading Standards authorities and two by the Office of Fair Trading.

Vehicle Fleets

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what progress has been made, by (a) volume and (b) percentage for each (i) category of vehicle, (ii) type of power unit and (iii) type of fuel, on an annual basis, over each of the past three years, in renewal of the Post Office's vehicle fleet on a lower emission basis;
	(2)  what the annual rate is at which the Post Office has renewed its vehicle fleet, by (a) volume and (b) percentage for each category of (i) vehicle, (ii) type of power unit and (iii) type of fuel over the last three years.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Royal Mail. I have therefore asked the Chairman to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

Waterloo Road Post Office

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what she estimates will be the effect on the Waterloo area of the closure of the Waterloo Road Post Office.

Stephen Timms: Decisions on post office closures are an operational matter for the company. Before closure of any post office is decided, Post Office Ltd. carries out a formal consultation process in accordance with the Code of Practice on branch closures, agreed with Postwatch.

HEALTH

Barnet Hospital

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on services at Barnet hospital.

Hazel Blears: Services at Barnet Hospital are improving but there is much more that needs to be done. Inpatients and outpatients are waiting for shorter periods and recent improvements in practice in the accident and emergency department will also ensure shorter waits. Public and staff are being involved in the further development of services locally.

Foundation Hospitals

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to extend foundation status to all hospitals in England and Wales;

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of proposed foundation hospitals.

John Hutton: A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts sets out proposals for NHS Foundation Trusts and invites applications for the first phase from current acute and specialist NHS 3-star Trusts. Legislation will be placed before the House to establish NHS Foundation Trusts. The eligibility criteria for NHS Foundation Trusts will be kept under review.

Hospital Mergers

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has undertaken on the effect of hospital mergers on clinical performance.

John Hutton: Hospital mergers are changes of organisational structures rather than changes to services. Each case has to be considered on its merits, taking local circumstances into account. One study covering 25 trusts in London did consider the effect of mergers. It found that while there were risks in the process, given the diversion of managerial focus, there was also evidence of a number of benefits, including greater sharing of good practice.

NHS Administrators

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many administrators are employed in the NHS.

John Hutton: There are 27,424 managers and senior managers employed in the NHS and 184,229 clerical and administrative staff. (Latest DH workforce census data as at 30 September 2001). Of the 184,229 clerical and administrative staff over half of these staff are providing direct support to health professionals in the delivery of care to patients, such as medical secretarial and radiography services.

Consultants Contracts

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on consultants contracts.

John Hutton: We announced a new framework of incentives and rewards for NHS consultants to the House on Thursday 23 January. The new framework will enable trusts to ensure greater rewards for those consultants who do most for NHS patients. It will give flexibility to trusts locally in choosing how best to use extra resources to reward consultants, reform working practices and improve patient services.
	We are now consulting on the framework, with a view to beginning implementation from this April.

Worcestershire Royal Acute Hospital

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the bed capacity at Worcestershire Royal Acute hospital.

David Lammy: Bed numbers have remained constant since the opening of the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester. There are approximately 1,400 acute beds and community based beds available across the county of Worcestershire compared to 1,387 in 199899.

NHS Dentistry (Somerset)

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of NHS dentistry in Somerset.

Hazel Blears: The Government are committed to providing National Health Service dentistry for all who need and seek it. We recognise, however, that there are some areas of the country, including parts of Somerset, where it is difficult to get access to an NHS dentist. For this reason more than 3.5 million additional investment is being made over two years in Somerset (2001/02 and 2002/03) to establish a ental access centre to treat non-registered patients.
	I can report that Somerset Coast Primary Care Trust is reaching dental access levels of 75 per cent. and this is expected to improve with the opening of a new practice. Taunton Deane Primary Care Trust is achieving 100 per cent. access levels for routine dental care; and South Somerset PCT has recently recruited an additional general dental practitioner.

Bowel Cancer

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce screening for bowel cancer; and what assessment he has made of its effectiveness.

Hazel Blears: The Government's commitment to a national screening programme for bowel cancer will be taken forward by a new national health service bowel cancer programme, launched on 4 February 2002 in London at a conference of experts from a wide variety of backgrounds, including the voluntary sector. The programme will be led by the national cancer director, and will concentrate on developing a national screening programme for bowel cancer, streamlining care for symptomatic patients expansion and development, and a communications strategy for the public and professionals.
	Government-funded pilots into faecal occult blood (FOB) testing for bowel cancer screening will report in the spring. However, the choice of screening methodology for bowel cancer screening is not clear cut between FOB testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy. The NHS bowel cancer programme will consider which method, or a combination of methods is the most appropriate for a bowel cancer screening programme in England.

Children (Sport)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of children undertook at least one hour's sporting activity each week on average each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
	Annual information in this form is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, Sport England carried out a survey of young people (aged 6 to 16) in 1994,1999 and 2002. The 1999 survey found that, overall, 82 per cent. of children spent at least one hour a week in PE lessons. Results from the 2002 survey will be published by Sport England in March.

Clinical Negligence Claims

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reason is for the delay in implementing the reform proposals outlined in the Government's response to the Committee of Public Accounts 37th report of 200102, Handling Clinical Negligence Claims in England; and when the proposed White Paper will be published.

David Lammy: Clinical negligence is a complex issue needing extensive consultation, and review of published literature and reports. The Chief Medical Officer is working up a comprehensive report outlining proposals to make arrangements fairer for those suffering injury through negligent national health service treatment.

Community Care

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on how he plans to distribute the 100 million to offset the impact of the fines on local authorities arising from the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc) Bill.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the response given to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 5 December 2002, Official Report, column 963W. An announcement on this will be made shortly.

Contractor Fraud

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for health pursuant to his answer of 20 January 2003, Official Report, column 120W, on contractor fraud, how much money has been recovered in each of the last three years.

David Lammy: The figures are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year Value of Recovery () 
		
		
			 19992000 158,232 
			 20002001 3,197,377 
			 20012002 2,228,603

Erythropoietin

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the use of erythropoietin will be referred to NICE for consideration.

Hazel Blears: Erythropoietin for chemotherapy induced anaemia is being considered as part of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's ninth wave work programme, the contents of which will be announced later this year.

Ethics Committee Administrators

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local research ethics committee administrators resigned between (a) 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002, and (b) 1 April and 30 November 2002.

David Lammy: Administrators for local research ethics committees are employed locally, and personnel records are not held centrally. From 1 October 2002, however, the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees has monitored the resignation, appointment and training of administrators.

Ethics Committees Authority

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) membership and (b) purpose of the UK Ethics Committees Authority are; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: There is at present no United Kingdom ethics committee authority. Directive 2001/20/EC required United Kingdom-wide opinions on the ethics of proposals for clinical trials involving medicinal products for human use from May 2004. After consultation in 2003, draft regulations implementing Directive 2001/20/EC will be laid before Parliament.

Food Supplements

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the implications for (a) specialist manufacturers, (b) specialist retailers and (c) consumer choice of the requirement to remove from the market the nutrients and nutrient sources which are not listed as acceptable for such use under the schedules to the proposed Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003.

Hazel Blears: The regulations will not require the immediate removal from the market of food supplements containing nutrients and nutrient sources excluded from the lists in Schedules 2 and 3, which have been drawn directly from Annexes I and II in the directive. Therefore, in the short-term there is likely to be little, if any, impact upon specialist manufacturers, specialist retailers or consumer choice.
	The longer-term impact will depend upon progress in adding vitamin and minerals and their sources to the lists of permitted nutrients in the directive.
	In implementing the directive, the Government are able, for a limited period of time, to allow continued use of substances not on the permitted lists, andwith very few exceptionsthey intend to do so.

Food Supplements/Herbal Remedies

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the food supplements and herbal remedies industry; and when he next plans to do so.

Hazel Blears: My noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath) and I last met formally with representatives of the food supplements industry in July 2002 to discuss concerns over the possible impact of the EU food supplements directive on the UK industry. At present, Ministers have no plans for further meetings about this, but are always willing to meet stakeholders when circumstances have changed or there are new issues to be raised.
	My noble Friend and I have held discussions with a wide range of stakeholders in the herbal sector on a number of occasions over the last year to discuss the proposed directive on traditional herbal medicinal products. Latterly, my noble Friend attended a meeting of stakeholders at the Medicines Control Agency on 10 October 2002. He met a number of trade associations on 21 November 2002 and representatives of Consumers for Health Choice, Holland and Barrett and general nutrition centres on 28 November 2002. He also attended a Consumers for Health Choice Parliamentary Reception on 4 December 2002.
	My noble Friend plans to meet herbal interest groups again when the European Commission has published updated proposals for the directive. A date for this meeting has not yet been fixed.

Fraud and Theft

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been lost by his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies through (a) fraud and (b) theft for each year since 199697.

David Lammy: The figures are shown in the table.
	
		Amounts lost through fraud and theft -- 
		
			  Department Agencies Non-departmental public bodies 
		
		
			 199697 45,360.89 6,561.00 57,936.87 
			 199798 61,415.26 1,461.00 10,458.00 
			 199899 66,897.29 Nil 6,903.00 
			 199900 48,148.81 3,493.00 3,493.00 
			 200001 56,831.99 Nil 6,582.00 
			 200102 34,862.67 17,060.51 12,131.00 
		
	
	The Department has a counter fraud service, staffed by professionally trained and accredited counter fraud specialists.

Kava-kava

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comparative risk assessment he has conducted of kava-kava.

Hazel Blears: Decision making in medicines regulation is based on the comparative evaluation of the risks and the benefits of individual products. All available data in relation to the risk of hepatotoxicity associated with kava-kava was carefully considered, taking into account the evidence of benefits of treatment.
	The risk assessment for kava-kava was considered by the Committee on Safety of Medicine (CSM), an expert subgroup of the CSM, which included independent experts in herbal medicine, clinical pharmacology and liver disease and the Medicines Commission. In total these committees have considered the safety of kava-kava in depth on five separate o ccasions since December 2001.
	The CSM and the Medicines Commission considered a comparative assessment of the risks of kava-kava and benzodiazepines such as bromazepam, oxazepam and diazepam. Following consideration of all available data, these advisory committees considered the level of risk of hepatotoxicity associated with kava-kava to be unacceptable.

Kava-kava

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether massage oils containing extract of kava-kava plant applied to the scalp for relief of stress will be exempt from the terms of the Medicines for Human Use (Kava-Kava) Prohibition Order 2002.

Hazel Blears: Massage oils are not normally regarded as medicinal products by the Medicines Control Agency, but this depends on their ingredients and the claims made for them. However, medicinal products for external use are excluded from the scope of the Medicines for Human Use (Kava-Kava) Prohibition Order 2002. Accordingly, the Order does not cover massage oils containing kava-kava which are medicinal products.

Modernisation Agency

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget of the Modernisation Agency is in (a) 200203 and (b) subsequent years which have been allocated.

David Lammy: The delegated revenue budget for the Modernisation Agency for 200203 is 106.5 million.
	Budgets for subsequent years have not yet been finalised. However, it is anticipated that additional resources will be made available during the three year period from 200304 to 200506 in order to fund specific initiatives to be taken forward by the Modernisation Agency.

National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultations he has received in response to the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.

Hazel Blears: The Cabinet Office strategy unit and the Department of Health conducted a joint consultation exercise on the national alcohol harm reduction strategy. This consultation exercise ran from 15 October 2002 to 15 January 2003. 319 responses were received.

NHS Operations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of operations carried out by NHS hospital trusts in England in the last year which have resulted in retained instruments left inside the patients.

Hazel Blears: At the present time, we do not know how many national health service patients are affected by this type of medical error.
	However, retained instruments and in particular swabs, are a recognised patient safety issue, both nationally and internationally.
	The Government have established the national patient safety agency to improve the safety of NHS patient care by promoting an open and fair culture and by introducing a national reporting and learning system for adverse events. It is planned for the system to be rolled out across the NHS from summer 2003. The reporting and learning system will, in time, enable us to understand the nature and extent of adverse events in the NHS, including material retained within patients, and take action to prevent them from being repeated.

NHS Productivity Growth

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department routinely uses output data from the NHS to estimate overall trends in NHS productivity growth.

Alan Milburn: We routinely compare increases in cost-weighted activity with increases in expenditure. However this does not accurately measure National Health Service productivity since it fails to capture activity undertaken in primary care or improvements in quality.

NHS Staff (Assaults)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2003, Official Report, column 820W, on NHS staff assaults, what the levels of sickness absence resulting from work-related injuries or violence at work were in each hospital trust in West Sussex in the last three months.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

NHS Staff (Disease Testing)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) whether he proposes to extend testing for all new NHS staff for diseases other than HIV and hepatitis;
	(2)  when he proposes to introduce HIV and hepatitis tests for all new NHS staff.

Hazel Blears: Our recent draft guidance published for consultation, Health clearance for serious communicable diseases: new health care workers, proposes that new health care workers whose jobs or training will involve exposure prone procedures will have to test negative for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C before taking up their posts. Such procedures occur mainly in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, dentistry and midwifery, where there is a risk that injury to the health care worker could expose a patient to their blood.
	The draft guidance does not require HIV and hepatitis tests for all new national health service staff because the clinical procedures carried out by the majority of health care workers carry no risk of transmission of these viruses, provided routine infection control measures are observed. New health care workers who will not carry out exposure prone procedures will be offered testing for HIV and hepatitis C. Testing for hepatitis B will be carried out if necessary in the context of checking response to immunisation.
	Consultation is due to end on 30 April 2003. The final version of the guidance is due to be published in the second half of 2003, taking account of the comments received, with an estimated four months' lead time for implementation.
	New health care workers already have health checks for tuberculosis and are offered immunisation, if necessary. We keep policy on health checks for other infectious diseases under on-going review.

Prescribing Costs

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on costs of prescribing.

David Lammy: The National Health Service is continuing to expand investment in primary care prescribing to reflect the Government's priorities in areas such as coronary heart disease. Expenditure for England this year is forecast to be around 6.35 billion, an increase of around 11.5 per cent. over the previous year.

Publicity and Advertising

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much (a) his Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year from 199596 to 200203 (estimated); and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The table shows the expenditure on major campaign publicity and advertising commissioned by the Department of Health's Communications Directorate for the financial years 199596 to 200203.
	
		 million
		
			 Financial year Publicity expenditure (excluding advertising) Advertising expenditure 
		
		
			 199596 13.48 2.08 
			 199697 12.63 2.50 
			 199798 4.582 2.04 
			 199899 14.43 8.53 
			 19992000 20.797 15.166 
			 200001 25.32 20.80 
			 200102 16.823 20.405 
			 200203 (to date) 18.04 22.916 
		
	
	Publicity and advertising expenditure for the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure for publicity other than that associated with campaigns can also be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Prior to 19992000 publicity and advertising on smoking was undertaken by the Health Education Authority (HEA). 54.53 million has been spent to date by the Department.
	There have been a number of new campaigns since 19992000. These include:
	Sexual Health (200102 to date);
	Immunisation (200102 to date);
	Social Worker Recruitment (200102 to date);
	Tuberculosis awareness (200102 to date);
	Walk-in Centres (200001 to date);
	Mind Out for Mental Health (200102 to date).
	200102 and 200203 include Health Promotion England Publicity and Advertising (HPE), which became part of the Department in 2001.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees will make funds available to local research ethics committees for the training of their members.

Hazel Blears: A letter from the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees, dated 26 September 2002, invited local research ethics committees to report their running costs for reimbursement. Within these costs, local research ethics committees were invited to identify training costs for both members and administrators.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the members are of the independent group drawn from local research ethics committees, multi-centre research ethics committees, health authorities, research subjects, wider lay interests and the research community evaluating the MREC system; how often they have met; what the results were of their deliberations; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Centre of Medical Law and Ethics at King's College London was commissioned to conduct an evaluation of the multi-centre research ethics committee system. The evaluation was undertaken via a customer based questionnaire survey. Questionnaires were issued to all applicants to multi-centre research ethics committees during the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998. Questionnaires were issued to principal researchers, sponsor companies, local researchers and local research ethics committees processing locality assessments. The evaluation was based on 1,303 completed questionnaires and on information from the multi-centre research ethics committees' annual reports.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how and where the posts of director of corporate affairs and director of operations of the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees were advertised; and how many applications were received for each post.

David Lammy: The posts of director of corporate affairs and director of operations at the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) were advertised in the Health Services Journal and in the September 2002 edition of the research ethics committee administrators bulletin, issued by COREC. There were three applications for each of the posts.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees became responsible for research ethics committees in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) the United Kingdom.

David Lammy: The Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) is not responsible for research ethics committees in England, Wales or the United Kingdom. Strategic health authorities (StHAs) have the responsibility that health authorities formerly had for research ethics committees in England.
	In preparation for the implementation of Directive 2001/20/EC, my noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Lord Hunt), wrote to research ethics committee chairmen on 7 August 2002 to inform them that he had decided that COREC would oversee the operation of research ethics committees in England and would establish a system of direct support for them, working closely with StHAs.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment was made of the need for regional offices for research ethics committees; what consultations were held; and what his estimate is of the annual costs of running these offices.

David Lammy: The Department agreed to proposals to establish offices of research ethics committees, following an assessment by the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC). The main consideration was the support that the national health service and local research ethics committees are expected to require in complying with regulations implementing Directive 2001/20/EC.
	COREC engaged in extensive informal consultation on proposals to establish offices of research ethics committees during meetings held in 2002. The plans were described in management information sheet number 1, issued by COREC in May 2002. This was sent to identified strategic health authority officers, research and development directors and chairmen of research ethics committees. The costs of running the offices of research ethics committees in England are estimated to be 900,000 a year.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the ability of local research ethics committees to improve their performance as set out in the recommendations of the pharmaceutical industry competitiveness task force; and what funding they have received to deliver this.

David Lammy: The Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) continues to advise the Department on the ability of the research ethics system to meet the standards set out in the guidance for research ethics committees that the Department promised to uphold in its response to the pharmaceutical industry competitiveness task force (PICTF) report.
	PICTF indicator number 22 shows that local research ethics committees are meeting the 60-day target for ethical consideration of protocols for clinical trials of medicines. Data on PICTF indicators can be found on the Department's website at: www.doh.gov.uk/pictf

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local research ethics committees received (a) all or (b) part of their funding from health authorities prior to 1 April 2002; how many local research ethics committees have received funding from strategic health authorities since 1 April 2002; how many local research ethics committees have received funding from the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees since 1 April 2002; and what the total value of funding was.

Hazel Blears: District health authorities became responsible for establishing local research ethics committees in 1991. District health authorities from then and health authorities from 1996 funded all local research ethics committees up to 30 September 2002, but information on the funding provided during this period is not held centrally.
	From 1 October 2002, the Department, through the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) made central provision to reimburse the costs of local research ethics committees on behalf of strategic health authorities. COREC is working with all local research ethics committees to establish their budgets, some of which remain to be finalised. I shall write to the hon. Member with the details when they are available.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reasons are for the delay in the issuing of a common application form for researchers to use when applying to a research ethics committee; and by how long it has been delayed.

David Lammy: The Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) originally planned to pilot a common application form for research ethics committees from October 2002. However, the European Commission have not finalised guidance on the minimum requirements for an application form for research ethics committees to comply with the provision of Directive EC2001/20/EC. Piloting with multi-centre research ethics committees will begin in February 2003.
	The common application form is planned to be available on the COREC website: www.corec.org.uk on 14 February 2003. The form will be for optional use by local research ethics committees from April 2003, and all research ethics committees will be required to use the form from October 2003.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment COREC made of commercially available software options designed to provide administrative support to research ethics committees; and what the cost was in (a) time and (b) equipment of the software devised by his Department to provide administrative support to the research ethics committees.

David Lammy: The Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) has begun work to develop a common information technology system to support the administration of research ethics committees. COREC has started a scoping exercise on their current information technology use and requirements. Options, including the use of commercially available software, to meet the needs identified, will be considered in May 2003.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters were received from local research ethics committees by the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees from (a) 1 January to 31 December 2001, (b) 1 January to 30 September 2002 and (c) 1 October to 31 October; how many of those letters were acknowledged within one month; and how many of those letters have neither been acknowledged nor received a reply.

David Lammy: The Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) has now put in place a system for logging correspondence. However, to provide the historical data requested, individual files held at COREC need to be accessed. I shall write to the hon. Member with the information when this has been collated.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent the training strategy for research ethics committee members developed by COREC matches that recommended in the report on the training needs of research ethics committee members commissioned by his Department.

David Lammy: The training strategy for research ethics committee members was developed by the Central Office of Research Ethics Committees following a review of past work; following consultation with members of multi-centre and local research ethics committees, users and current providers of training; and taking into consideration the report on training needs commissioned by the Department. The training strategy was publicised at meetings throughout 2002, especially at Birmingham on 23 October 2002.

Research Ethics Committees

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether COREC followed the guidelines for making public appointments when appointing (a) an adviser on training research ethics committees and (b) an adviser on accreditation of research ethics committees; and what relevant skills and experience each appointed adviser to COREC has.

David Lammy: The two positions in question are not public appointments. The appointments were made by the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees with the knowledge of the Department taking into account the expertise and experience that those appointed offered.
	The training adviser is Dr Hugh Davies. He is a former local research ethics committee and multi-centre research ethics committee chairman, and is a consultant paediatrician with a particular interest in professional education. He has a master's degree in higher and professional training and is a member of the institute of learning and teaching.
	Dr. John Lamberty is the chairman of the working group on the accreditation of research ethics committees. He is a consultant anaesthetist. He is a former member of a multi-centre research ethics committee, former chairman of a local research ethics committee, current chairman of a multi-centre research ethics committee and current vice-chairman of the association of research ethics committees. He was a member of the steering groups that established multi-centre research ethics committees and the association of research ethics committees.

Theft/Fraud

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the cost of theft and fraud to (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in 2002.

David Lammy: The figures are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Department  Agencies  Non-departmental public bodies  
		
		
			 34,862,67 17,060.51 12,131.00 
		
	
	The Department has a counter fraud service staffed by professionally trained and accredited counter fraud specialists.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Broadcasting

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 3 December 2002, Official Report, column 780W, on broadcasting, if she will list the targets set for BBC commercial income, and the Corporation's progress against those targets to date.

Kim Howells: As part of the licence fee settlement, announced in February 2000, the BBC was expected to raise an additional 490 million through efficiency savings and increased income. The BBC expects to have generated 75 million in extra cash from its commercial ventures by the end of this financial year.

Capita

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 9 January 2003, Official Report, column 51W, on Capita, if she will set out his reasons for having no further dealings with Capita since February 2002.

Kim Howells: The DCMS have used Capita as one of five companies within a framework agreement when a need for their services have arisen. Since February 2002 there have been contracts for which the other framework agreement suppliers have been chosen as more suitable. At some point in the future the services offered by Capita could be chosen over the other companies and they will then be offered work by the Department.

Digital Television (Rural Areas)

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what reports she has (a) commissioned and (b) examined into the barriers the public in rural areas face in the take-up of digital television.

Kim Howells: No such reports have been commissioned as yet. But the Digital Television Action Plan addresses the need to ensure the accessibility and affordability of digital television for consumers, including those in rural areas. The Action Plan, together with details of the work undertaken to date, are available on the website: www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk.

Ethnic Minority Cultural Events

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding (a) her Department and (b) its agencies provide to support ethnic minority cultural events.

Richard Caborn: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Hyde Park (Public Meetings)

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with the (a) Metropolitan police, (b) Royal Parks police, (c) Stop the War Coalition and (d) the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament concerning the peace rally to be held on 15 February; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many times, and for which events, in each of the last five years the use of Hyde Park for public meetings has been refused;
	(3)  how many public meetings have been held in Hyde Park in each month in each of the last five years.

Tessa Jowell: The Chief Executive of the Royal Parks is responsible for agreeing to rallies and assemblies in Hyde Park. His officials, including members of the Royal Parks Constabulary, met representatives from the Stop the War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament on 8 January to discuss the request to hold a rally on 15 February. The Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Constabulary discussed the matter with representatives of Westminster City Council on 23 January and held a subsequent meeting with the Metropolitan police on 28 January. This last meeting was also attended by Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority and the London Ambulance Service. A further meeting was held with the Metropolitan police, CND and the Stop the War Coalition on 3 February. I also received written correspondence on this matter from the Metropolitan police on 3 February.
	The number of public meetings held in Hyde Park in each month in each of the last five years is set out in the following table:
	
		Number of public meetings held in Hyde Park per month since 1998
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 January 1 2 0 0 0 
			 February 2 2 1 0 1 
			 March 3 0 0 1 2 
			 April 0 4 0 0 1 
			 May 2 0 0 2 1 
			 June 2 3 0 5 3 
			 July 1 4 2 0 2 
			 August 0 2 1 1 0 
			 September 1 1 2 3 2 
			 October 3 2 2 0 0 
			 November 1 0 2 0 0 
			 December 0 1 1 0 2 
		
	
	The Royal Parks only turn down permission for rallies or assemblies either because the ground is unsuitable for the numbers involved or because they would clash with another event. In the latter case an alternative date is always offered and usually agreed. The Royal Parks does not hold records of requests turned down in previous years, but the following is a list of those turned down in 2002 and the reasons why:
	The National Union of Students Rally on 4 December, the National Union of Teachers Rally on 26 November and the Stansted [Anti-] Expansion rally on 23 November were turned down because the ground was unsuitable and winter ground reinstatement work was in progress; In November 2002 a request from the Countryside Alliance to congregate in the Park was turned down because it clashed with another event, but it was agreed that the march could 'disperse' into the Park.
	A request to hold the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' assembly on 20 July was turned down because a Route of Kings concert was scheduled for that day;
	A request from the Jesus Fellowship Church to hold an assembly on 29 June was turned down because it would have clashed with a large scale concert scheduled for the same day;
	A request from the British Equestrian Society to hold a demonstration on 3 June was turned down because it clashed with Jubilee events;
	A request from the Grand Orange Lodge of England to hold a rally on 21 April (HM the Queen's birthday) was turned down because management and police resources were at full capacity facilitating Trooping the Colour.

Ministerial Meetings (Scottish Land Fund)

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive to determine the demands for future funding from the Scottish Land Fund after the passing of the Land Reform Act by the Scottish Parliament.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is corresponding with Scottish Ministers about the needs of the Scottish Land Fund. In addition I recently met my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North and representatives from the New Opportunities Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to discuss the Scottish Land Fund.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Hansard

Peter Duncan: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the cost was of reprinting the daily Hansard of 4 February.

Archy Kirkwood: Under the terms of the printing contract with The Stationery Office (TSO), the cost of reprinting and reissuing the daily Hansard of 3 February was borne by TSO. No additional expense will fall on the House of Commons.

CABINET OFFICE

Ministerial Cars

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Ministers are entitled to the allocation of a car; and how many Ministers in each year from 1997 have chosen not to avail themselves of one.

Douglas Alexander: pursuant to his answer, 8 January 2003, Official Report, c. 216W
	I have asked the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his revised letter has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Airport Police

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions and to what extent the RUC and PSNI has trained and supervised constables of the Northern Ireland Airport Police in accordance with the undertaking given by the Government on 14 February 1994, Official Report, column 667; and how many officers have been trained in each case.

Jane Kennedy: The Training Officer of the then RUC reviewed training requirements of the Northern Ireland Airport Police and appropriate training has been carried out by PSNI for each new in-take of Airport Police Officers. Effectively, this means that Airport Police Constables are trained alongside PSNI Constables and Airport Auxiliary Constables are trained alongside PSNI part-time Constables.
	In addition, the PSNI has provided the Airport Police with training in Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE), use of weapons and Human Rights legislation.

Airport Police

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what joint consideration the Home Office, the Department for Transport and the Northern Ireland Office have given to the contents of Sir John Wheeler's Report into Policing at UK Airports 2002, with particular reference to policing at (a) Belfast International, (b) Belfast City and (c) Derry-Eglington airports; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Sir John Wheeler reviewed Aviation Security at the behest of the Home Secretary. Whilst the NIO was consulted during the fact finding process, it is a matter for the Home Office and the Department for Transport to take forward a detailed analysis of the recommendations in Sir John's report.

Airport Police

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on which occasions the RUC and PSNI have been consulted by the management of the Belfast International Airport about reductions in policing levels at the airport, since the undertakings given by the Government on 14 February 1994, Official Report, column 691, that such prior consultation would take place; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Security arrangements at Belfast International Airport are kept under continual review. Officers from PSNI meet regularly with the Airport Authorities to discuss proposed changes in security measures.
	In addition, the PSNI, both from Headquarters and the local District Command Unit in Antrim, are represented at meetings of the Belfast International Airport Security Committee (chaired by the Airport Authority) and also the Belfast International Airport Security Co-ordinating Committee meeting (chaired by NIO).

Airport Security

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the last occasion was on which the RUC and PSNI formally agreed the level of security at the Belfast international airport, in accordance with the undertakings given to Parliament by the Government on 14 February 1994, Official Report, column 692; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Proposed changes to the level of security at Belfast international airport were last discussed at the meeting of the Security Co-ordinating Committee on 30 January 2003. While it would be inappropriate to go into the details, I can advise that the committee, which includes officers from PSNI, considered the merits of the changes and endorsed what was being proposed.

Airport Security

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has made the owners of Belfast International Airport aware of their responsibility under the original sales prospectus to meet appropriate security charges determined by and after regular surveys made by the RUC and PSNI, as stated by the Government on 31 January 1994, Official Report (HL), column 165; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Airport Authority is responsible for, and continues to fulfil, all its obligations in terms of physical and technical security measures at Belfast International Airport. Security at the Airport is taken very seriously and officers from PSNI meet regularly with the Airport Authority to ensure that appropriate security levels are maintained.

Airports

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent and on which occasions, since the enactment of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994, the RUC and PSNI has monitored the performance of the Airport constabulary, in accordance with the undertaking given to parliament by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 14 February 1994, Official Report, column 667; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to question reference 94464.

Airports

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on which dates since the enactment of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 the Northern Ireland Airport Police has been subject to an annual inspection.

Jane Kennedy: There has been no formal inspection of the Northern Ireland Airport Police since the enactment of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 per se, however, individual and specific service levels are regularly monitored as part of the wider PSNI security reviews, the most recent of which was during week commencing 27 January 2003.

Belfast Airport (Policing)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much per annum the PSNI charges Belfast City Airport for the cost of policing; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The PSNI do not levy a charge on Belfast City Airport for the current policing required at that location. The PSNI respond to reports of criminal activity at this location, as they would at every other location throughout Northern Ireland. The annual cost of policing in Northern Ireland is met from within the Police Grant.

Belfast City Airport

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in the past six months (a) customs officials, (b) airport management and (c) other airport officials have requested attendance and help from PSNI which was not immediately available within the curtilage of the Belfast city airport; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: All the incidents were dealt with initially by Special Branch Portal Unit from within the airport, assisted where necessary by dedicated sector police or a response unit from Strandtown PSNI station.
	There have been 43 reported incidents at Belfast city airport since June 2002. Thirty-five of these were luggage, lost or stolen in transit. The remainder were:
	one arrest for drugs with customs and excise;
	two persons arrests on warrant;
	one alleged assault in flight;
	three disruptive passengers; and
	one drunk person.
	The normal patrol pattern is for sector police motor cyclists to pay attention to the airport. However, at busy or times of identified or perceived threat, a patrol is dedicated to the area using the airport support 4 x 4 patrol vehicle.

Belfast City Airport

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, prior to the sale of the Belfast city airport, he will arrange for the PSNI to review (a) policing requirements and (b) financial charges to the operators in order that this may be taken into account by prospective purchasers.

Jane Kennedy: The PSNI carried out a review of policing requirements at Belfast city airport during the latter months of last year. Management of financial charges pertaining to the administration of the airport, including security arrangements, are matters for the Airport Authority.

Belfast International Airport

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what safeguards and strict monitoring arrangements the Government put in place in order to ensure that the commercial interests of the management of the Belfast International Airport do not undermine the operational independence and professionalism of the police force or the security of the airport as promised on 31 January 1994, Official Report, (HL) column 1166.

Jane Kennedy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to question reference 94464. These mechanisms ensure that policing arrangements are not compromised by commercial interests, though the Airport Authority have always, and continue to act in a very responsible manner.

Security Committees

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the name of the security committee is, referred to on 14 February 1994, Official Report, column 692, by the Under-Secretary of State; what its constitution is; how frequently it has met in each year since the enactment of the Airports (Northern Ireland) Order 1994; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Belfast International Airport Security Co-ordinating Committee is made up of representatives from the Northern Ireland Office, the Department for Regional Development, Department for Transport, PSNI, MOD Headquarters (NI), RAF Aldergrove and Airport Authority. The Committee has met with the following frequency:
	
		
			  Frequency 
		
		
			 1994 1 
			 1995 2 
			 1996 2 
			 1997 2 
			 1998 1 
			 1999 2 
			 2000 3 
			 2001 2 
			 2002 1 
			 2003 1

WORK AND PENSIONS

Advertising Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much (a) his Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year from 199596 to 200203 (estimated); and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The Department for work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. Since that time, and up until March 2002, around 28,238,773 has been spent on publicity activity educate people or alert them to their rights and responsibilities.
	A total publicity spend of around 14,059,468 is estimated for the 2002/03 financial year.
	Due to the integrated, multi-media nature of DWP marketing activity, advertising costs are not recorded separately and could only be supplied at disproportionate cost.

Child Support Agency

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the new CSA IT system.

Andrew Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the oral statement I made on 27 January 2003, Official Report, columns 56768.
	Having checked the Official Report, I have noticed that during the exchange that followed my statement, my answer pointing to the compliance rate for self-employed non-resident parents of 34 per cent. should have been non-compliance at 34 per cent. This reflects the fact that at November 2002 34 per cent. paid nothing. The figure for those non-resident parents who are fully and partially compliant for this group is at 66 per cent., but this is still significantly below the figure for all cases.

Deferred Annuities

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the current providers of deferred annuities, as referred to in paragraph 81, page 65 of the Green Paper Simplicity, security and choice; and if he will make a statement on the bad value of deferred annuities.

Ian McCartney: The current providers of deferred annuities are 'Legal and General' and Prudential. In the Green Paper, Simplicity, security and choiceWorking and saving for retirement (Cm 5677), we state our interest in considering the establishment central fund into which members could choose to pay the funds that they receive on wind-up. The fund could thenacting as a wholenegotiate the purchase of deferred annuities with providers. The Green Paper sets out the market context in which such a central fund would operate. The consultation period on the Green Paper ends on 28 March 2003.

Departmental Running Costs

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the running costs of (a) the Department and (b) each of its sponsored agencies were in (i) 1997 and (ii) the most recent year for which figures are available.

Ian McCartney: The figures are available in:
	Appropriation Accounts 199798 Class XII Department of Social Security Vote 3 Account.
	Appropriation Accounts 200001 Class XII Department of Social Security Vote 3 Account.
	These are available in the Library.

E-Mail Addresses

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what e-mail address members of the public may contact (a) him and (b) each of the Ministers in his Department; and for each e-mail address if he will state (i) the date it became active and (ii) the number of e-mails received in each month since activation.

Maria Eagle: Ministers can be contacted at ministers@dwp.gsi.gov.uk. The Department was formed on 8 June 2001 and the e-mail address was activated shortly afterwards. Separate records are not kept of the number of e-mail messages received.

Housing Benefit

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the latest figures for housing benefit processing times are, broken down by local authority.

Malcolm Wicks: Under Best Value, we have set a range of performance indicators for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for English local authorities, three of which are concerned with processing times. There are similar indicators for local authorities inWales and Scotland.
	The latest audited best value performance information for English local authorities is for 200102 and was published on 12 December on the Best Value Performance Indicators website at http://www.bvpi.gov.uk/home.asp. A copy is available in the Library.
	The most recent corresponding data for local authorities in Wales are for 2000/01. These are published on the Audit Commission website at http://ww2.Audit-Commission.gov.uk/pis/pi data 01.shtml. A copy of the relevant extract from this site has been placed in the Library. The Local Government Data Unit for Wales, the Audit Commission in Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government intend to jointly publish performance information for 2001/02 by the end of the current financial year.
	The most recent corresponding data for local authorities in Scotland are also for 200001 and are in the Accounts Commission publication Performance Indicators 2000/2001: Benefits, Finance and Corporate Issues, a copy of which is in the Library. Audit Scotland intends to publish performance information for 2001/02 on behalf of the Accounts Commission in mid January 2003.
	The Department collects quarterly un-audited performance information from local authorities across Great Britain. We published this information on the Department's website at www.dwp.qsi.qov.uk/asd/otherstats.html on 29 January 2003.Copies are available in the Library.

Ministerial Travel

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times since 2001 he has taken flights on departmental duties in the UK; how many of these were (a) charter flights, (b) first or club class and (c) by helicopter; and who accompanied him on each trip.

Ian McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 334W.

Pension Credit

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assumptions underlie the calculation that pensioners on 150 a week will gain 1,100 a year from the pension credit, as set out on 15 January 2002, Official Report, column 629W.

Ian McCartney: The assumptions underlying this calculation are that it is a pensioner couple receiving full basic state pension, all additional income qualifies for the savings credit and they are not currently entitled to the minimum income guarantee.

Pension Schemes

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [pursuant to his answer 18 December 2002, Official Report, column 859], whether the data on the number of pension schemes that have completed winding-up and the members of those schemes in the financial years 200001 and 200102 is likely to be revised.

Ian McCartney: As explained in the answer to the previous parliamentary question, the data used was derived from information collected by the Pension Schemes Registry (PSR), which is not designed or intended to provide a comprehensive or continuous statistical record of the number of schemes which wind-up. The PSR registers schemes for tracing purposes and collects the levy from pension schemes, including those in the process of winding-up. New scheme data is being reported to the PSR on a continuous basis. Therefore, the figures aresubject to continuous revision. The figures in the previous parliamentary question showing the number of schemes commencing and in the process of winding up and the number of members of those schemes shown were correct in terms of the information available to the PSR. As new information becomes available on an on-going basis, the figures change. That is because the figures are a snapshot. Since the previous parliamentary question, in the course of itspursuance of unpaid levy liabilities, the PSR has identified further schemeswhich had commenced wind up in previous years and were still in the wind upprocess. These schemes are added to the figures as they are identified. At the same time, the PSR will sometimes identify that some schemes had completedwind up in previous years. These schemes are removed from the columnshowing schemes still in the process of winding up and are added to thecolumn showing completed wind ups. Again, this occurs on an on-going basisas the PSR identifies the facts.
	However, work to produce the latest available figures has indicated factualerrors in the presentation of the figures for the earlier parliamentary question of 18 December 2002 showing the number of completed wind ups and thenumbers of members of those schemes. These errors relate to technicalaspects of the PSR's database, but the most significant effect was to overstatethe numbers of members in schemes that had completed wind up.
	The correct up-to-date figures are as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number of schemes notifying PSR that they are commencing wind up and are still in the process Number of members fin schemes notifying PSR that they are commencing wind up and still in the process  
		
		
			 1/4/199731/3/1998 94 9,485 
			 1/4/199831/3/1999 154 5,732 
			 1/4/199931/3/2000 4,623 107,397 
			 1/4/200031/3/2001 1,771 76,156 
			 1/4/200131/3/2002 2,263 77,642 
		
	
	
		
			 Year Number of schemes that completed winding up Number of members in schemes that completed winding up 
		
		
			 1/4/199731/3/1998 24,974 541,298 
			 1/4/199831/3/1999 7,388 165,572 
			 1/4/199931/3/2000 8,151 343,365 
			 1/4/2000 31/3/2001 6,047 158,118 
			 1/4/2001 31/3/2002 4,388 230,406 
		
	
	I regret that the figures provided previously in relation to schemes which had completed wind up were not fully accurate. The PSR has now put in place procedures to prevent a recurrence.
	Notes:The reason the figures for completed wind ups in 1997/98 are so much larger than for other years is that from 1997, the rules governing which schemes had a levy liability were changedall schemes with two or more members became liable whereas previously, only schemes with two or more active members were liable. So, in 1997, the PSR issued levy requests to a large number of schemes, only to discover that a number of them had already wound up. All these schemes were recorded as having completed wind up in 1997/98 even if, in fact, they had wound up earlier. Therefore, we know these figures are inflated, but not by how much. As explained, that is because the figures were not collected for the purpose of recording the numbers of scheme wind ups.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are estimated to be deferring claiming their state pension, broken down by (a) men and (b) women; and how many of each category are working.

Ian McCartney: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the following table.
	
		Number of people deferring state pension
		
			  Great Britain 
		
		
			  
			 Male 8,000 
			 Female 28,000 
			 Total 35,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Numbers do not sum to totals due to rounding.
	2. Numbers rounded to nearest 1,000.
	3. Northern Ireland and Channel Island cases are not included in the table.
	4. Due to data limitations a number of assumptions were required to produce these numbers. Therefore the numbers shown above should be considered to be approximate.
	Source:
	Department for Work and Pensions' calculations based upon administrative data from 31 March 2002.

Pensions Credit

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for additional ways of publicising the pensions credit.

Ian McCartney: In addition to writing to everyone 60 and over about Pension Credit, we are planning a substantial marketing campaign to include TV and press advertising. We are also working closely with partners including pensions organisations on customer communications products.

Portsmouth, South

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were awarded increments for deferring their state pension in the last year for which data are available, broken down by (a) male and (b) female and (i) United Kingdom resident and (ii) living abroad at the point of award.

Ian McCartney: The information in the table shows the number of people who claimed their state pension between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002 and received increment.
	
		
			  Great Britain Overseas All 
		
		
			 Male 4,000 2,000 5,000 
			 Female 13,000 3,000 16,000 
			 All 16,000 5,000 21,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Numbers rounded to nearest 1,000.
	2. Numbers may not sum to totals due to rounding.
	3. Northern Ireland and Channel Island cases are not included in the table.
	Source:
	State pension administrative data from 31 March 2002.

Unemployment Benefit

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unemployed people in Tamworth are claiming unemployment benefit; and what the change in the number of unemployed since 1997 is.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from L. Cook to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 11 February 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question regarding the number of unemployed people in Tamworth who are claiming unemployment benefit and what the change in the number of unemployed since 1997 is. (96531)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from surveys following the international standard International Labour Organisation definition. However the survey sample size is too small to provide estimates for the Tamworth Parliamentary Constituency.
	However, the number of people in the Tamworth Parliamentary Constituency claiming the Jobseeker's Allowance benefit fell by 458 from a figure of 1,541 in December 1997 to 1,083 in December 2002.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

A*-G Grades

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils achieved five or more A*-G grades in each year from 1995 to 2001.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown as follows:
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils achieving five or more A*-G grades in all schools in England
		
			  
		
		
			  
			 199495 43.5 
			 199596 44.5 
			 199697 45.1 
			 199798 46.3 
			 199899 47.9 
			 19992000 49.2 
			 200001 50.0

A*-G Grades

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils achieved one A*-G grade in each year from 1995 to 2001.

David Miliband: The information requested is shown as follows:
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils achieving one or more A*-G grades in all schools in England
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			  
			 199495 91.9 
			 199596 92.2 
			 199697 92.3 
			 199798 93.4 
			 199899 94.0 
			 19992000 94.4 
			 200001 94.6

Area Cost Adjustment

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which counties qualify for the education area cost adjustment; and how much they receive on average in 200203 per student in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

David Miliband: The following table sets out, for those authorities who qualify for the area cost adjustment from April 2003, the primary and secondary SSA per pupil for 200203.
	
		
			  SSA () per pupil 
			 LEA name Aged 510 Aged 1115 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire 2,660 3,410 
			 Buckinghamshire 2,660 3,410 
			 East Sussex 2,710 3,500 
			 Hampshire 2,580 3,320 
			 Wiltshire(7) 2,510 3,220 
			 Cambridgeshire(7) 2,530 3,230 
			 Cheshire(7) 2,470 3,150 
			 Essex 2,710 3,460 
			 Kent 2,710 3,470 
			 Gloucestershire(7) 2,500 3,190 
			 Hertfordshire 2,750 3,500 
			 Isle of Wight Council 2,790 3,600 
			 Northamptonshire(7) 2,530 3,230 
			 Oxfordshire 2,670 3,400 
			 Surrey 2,720 3,470 
			 Warwickshire(7) 2,490 3,170 
			 West Sussex 2,640 3,360 
		
	
	(7) Authority qualifying for ACA for the first time from April 2003

Baccalaureat Technique

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the French (a) Baccalaurat Technique and (b) Baccalaurat Gnral systems.

David Miliband: We considered a range of qualifications models from overseas, including those from France, in developing the proposals, including further work on a unified qualifications framework for 14 to 19-year-olds, set out in 1419: Opportunity and Excellence, published on 21 January 2003.

Construction Industry Training Board

John Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the cost in 200304 to the construction equipment hire industry of the imposition of levies to the Construction Industry Training Board.

Ivan Lewis: The amount of levy payable in 2003 by employers declaring their main activity to be Plant Hire or Repair (including Tool Hire) is forecast to be 3.5 million.

Departmental Expenditure

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on his Department's expenditure plans for 200304 and 200405.

Charles Clarke: My Statement to the House of 19 December, Official Report, column 67WS, sets out my Department's planned expenditure for 200304 and 200405. Plans for Higher Education expenditure were included in the White Paper, The Future of Higher Education' (Command Number, 5735) published on 22 January.

Deprivation (Funding)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria he uses to define deprivation for the purposes of the education funding formula; and how they differ from the deprivation criteria used by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

David Miliband: Deprivation is measured in the new education funding formula through child based measures of poverty: the proportion of children in families on income support or in receipt of working families' tax credit. The other indicators used in the formula for distribution of grant to local authorities are set out in the Local Government finance report 200304, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The formula are designed to measure the relative costs of service delivery, and individual service blocks use the most appropriate measures of need, including deprivation: there is no reason why these should be the same for all service blocks.

English-style Baccalaureat

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the (a) content and (b) academic standard of his proposed English style Baccalaureate will compare with those of (i) the German Abilus and (ii) the French Baccalaureate.

David Miliband: Following the publication of 1419: Opportunity and Excellence on 21 January this year, one of the key tasks for the 1419 working group which Mike Tomlinson will chair will be to consider, and make recommendations about, the rationale and potential design of such a qualification.

Finance (Leeds)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what SSA allocation the City of Leeds received in (a) 200102, (b) 200203, (c) 200304; and what was (i) the LEA spend and (ii) the size of the schools budget in (A) 200102 and (B) 200203.

David Miliband: In 200102 the City of Leeds' Education SSA was 317.01 million; in 200203 it is 311.54 million. In 200304 its Education Formula Spending Share is 344.63 million.
	The figure for 200304 is not fully comparable with the earlier figures. The figure for 200304 includes funding transferred into EFS from grant and to take account of the increase in contributions to the Teachers' Pension Scheme. The figures for 200203 and 200304 do not include Sixth Form funding: responsibility for that was transferred to the Learning and Skills Council in 200203.
	In 200102 the City of Leeds' education budget was 311.54 million and in 200203 it was 306.18 million. We cannot split out the schools budget for 200102 but in 200203 it was 276.20 million.
	The information requested on the LEA spend for 200102 is not yet available as the Department is in the process of collecting it. I will write to my hon. Friend when the information becomes available. The Department is not due to collect the data for 200203 until September 2003.

Government Offices for the Regions

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what responsibilities the Government offices for the regions have relating to education.

Charles Clarke: Government offices are responsible for supporting the delivery of the department's educational policies, programmes and initiatives in the regions and ensuring coherence and synergy with other Government policies, programmes and initiatives.
	DfES issues Government offices with guidance at the start of the year, and Government offices identify the key issues and priorities in a region and work with partners to ensure resources are targeted appropriately.
	During the forthcoming year, GOs will have three core priorities, based around:
	Floor targets for schools-with particular emphasis on ensuring that regeneration and renewal work across Government supports the achievement of these targets;
	School behaviour and attendance-joining up local and sub-regional stakeholders with the range of cross Government work to support achievement of targets;
	Adult skills-with emphasis on regional skills priorities and basic skills, joining up sub-regional and regional stakeholders and resources to ensure delivery of adult skills targets.

Key Stage 4

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the national standard of teaching at Key Stage 4.

David Miliband: In his annual report for 200102, published on 5 February 2003, HM Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, reported that inspectors had judged the quality of teaching at Key Stage 4 to be good or better in 79 per cent. of maintained secondary schools and unsatisfactory or poor in 2 per cent. of those schools. He confirmed that the quality of teaching is reflected in rising standards, with more young people completing their compulsory education with a range of good examination results and fewer leaving the system with no qualifications.

Modern Apprenticeship Programmes

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the completion rates were for the modern apprenticeship programmes in each year since their inception.

Ivan Lewis: There are no published rates for completion of modern apprenticeship frameworks. Figures are, however, routinely available for achievement of the main qualifications of Modern Apprenticeship programmes: full National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2 for Foundation Modern Apprenticeships (FMA), and full NVQ level 3 for Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (AMA).
	
		percentage
		
			 Academic year of leaving Achievement rate of full NVQ level 3 as part of an AMA Achievement rate of full NVQ level 2 as part of an FMA 
		
		
			 August 1994 to July 1995 (8) (8) 
			 August 1995 to July 1996 16 (8) 
			 August 1996 to July 1997 23 (8) 
			 August 1997 to July 1998 30 (8) 
			 August 1998 to July 1999 40 (8) 
			 August 1999 to July 2000 50 40 
			 200001(9)   
			 August 2000 to October 2000(9) 54 43 
			 November 2000 to January 2001(9) 45 42 
			 February 2001 to March 2001(9) 51 51 
		
	
	(8) Not available.
	(9) Complete information is not available for the academic year August 2000 to July 2001.

Ofsted

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funds his Department has allocated to OFSTED in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506, (i) in cash terms and (ii) on a full resource budgeting basis.

Charles Clarke: The following table sets out my allocations to OFSTED.
	
		 million
		
			  200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Cash Terms 200 203 212 
			 Resource Budgeting 203 206 215 
		
	
	The Resource Budgeting figures are those I announced in my statement to the house on 19 December, Official Report, column 67WS, and includes both resource and capital provision.
	The cash figures exclude the provision made for depreciation, cost of capital and other accrual to cash adjustments, such as changes in Debtors and Creditors.

Primary Schools (Security)

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what security guidelines he issues to local education authorities with regard to primary schools;
	(2)  what advice he gives local education authorities about security considerations applying to the locations of primary schools;
	(3)  what his policy is on location of primary schools adjacent to (a) prisons, (b) probation centres, (c) magistrates' courts, (d) military bases and (e) drugs and alcohol clinics day centres.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 10 February 2003
	My Department has issued guidance on school security that includes School Security: Dealing with Troublemakers (jointly with the Home Office) and Improving Security in Schools and a video, Can You See What They See?. We have also established a school security website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolsecurity.
	Where local education authorities publish proposals to establish a new school, or transfer an existing school to a new site, the final decision is taken at local level by a School Organisation Committee (SOC) or by a Schools Adjudicator if the SOC cannot reach a unanimous decision. The SOC and the Adjudicator must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State when making their decisions. This includes a range of factors they should consider including the overall effect on standards of provision in the area, existence of safe walking, cycling or bus routes and the views of those affected by the proposals.

Public Bodies

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funds his Department has allocated to each public body sponsored by the department in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506, (i) in cash terms and (ii) on a full resource budgeting basis.

Charles Clarke: The amounts allocated to each public body and the consequential cash requirementsvoted as grant in aidare shown in the table.
	
		
			   200304  200405  200506 
			  Cash Resource Cash Resource Cash Resource ( million) 
		
		
			 Adult Learning Inspectorate 24 24 24 24 24 24 
			 British Educational Communications and Technology Agency(10) 5 6 5 6 6 7 
			 General Teaching Council 1 2 1 1 1 1 
			 Higher Education Funding Council for England 5,411 5,399 5,844 5,833 6,324 6,334 
			 Investors in People UK 5 5 5 5 5 5 
			 Learning and Skills Council(11) 8,095 8,095 8,613 8,613 9,200 9,200 
			 National College for School Leadership 80 82 90 92 92 94 
			 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 60 62 60 62 60 62 
			 Student Loans Company(12) 38 41 
			 Sector Skills Development Agency 42 42 45 45 48 48 
			 Teacher Training Agency 496 499 523 526 550 553 
		
	
	(10) This excludes any funding BECTA may receive for managing specific projects.
	(11) SC resource figures exclude capital costs and depreciation, which have not yet been agreed.
	(12) The figure for 200304 is an indicative amount notified to the Student Loans Company pending a full allocation for the whole period.
	Notes:
	1. All figures are rounded to the nearest million.
	2. The cash figures exclude the provision made for depreciation, cost of capital and other.
	3. Accrual to cash adjustments, such as changes, in Debtors and Creditors.
	4. All allocations for 200405 and 200505 are indicative and subject to receipt of detailed business plans from each public body.

School Buildings

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the value of school buildings in England; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: We estimate the replacement value of schools buildings in England to be around 93 billion at 2003 price levels. This includes for bringing the buildings up to present design standards but excludes the value of land.

School Meals

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average price of a school meal was in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area in England and Wales in each academic year since 199798.

Stephen Twigg: The Department for Education and Skills does not collect statistics on the price of school meals in schools in England. The Welsh Assembly is responsible for school meal policy for schools in Wales.

Sector Skills Development Agency

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria he used to judge the relevant expertise of appointments to the board and senior management of the Sector Skills Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: All appointments to the Sector Skills Development Agency Board were made under fair and open competition and required high-level representation from the private sector as well as wider employment and voluntary sector interests. Board appointees were judged against the following criteria:
	a successful track record of Board level work, strategy development and implementing change
	evidence of contribution to employer based initiatives to improve businessproductivity and competitiveness through workforce development
	evidence of promoting and encouraging diversity in the workforce a personal profile with evidence of being able to represent others, work in partnership and as part of a team
	evidence of developing creative solutions to sophisticated problems
	well developed and high effective communication, presentation and negotiating skills.
	In addition to the Chief Executive there are four senior management posts which areresponsible for finance, operations, policy and research and marketing. While the selection criteria for each post were different to reflect their diverse technical needs, there were a number of core criteria common to all posts including:
	Experience of working at senior management and contributing to the strategic direction of a comparable organisation.
	Proven ability to communicate effectively and influence both within an organisation and with external partners and stakeholders.
	Proven ability to manage budgets and projects within their area or responsibility in order to meet defined targets within competing priorities.
	Proven ability to take decisions decisively and effectively.
	The highest standards of probity and integrity.
	A strong commitment to promoting equality of opportunity.

Specialist Status Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 3 February 2003, Official Report, column 783W, on specialist status schools, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of specialist status on technology colleges.

David Miliband: The October 2001 Ofsted survey of the programme (Specialist Schools: An evaluation of progress) looked at the Technology specialism alongside the three other specialisms which were part of the programme in 2000. The survey found that four out of five of the well-established specialist schools covered by the survey were in large measure achieving the aims of the programme and making good use of the advantages it brings. The survey said that for these schools specialist status had often been a catalyst for innovation and helped to sustain or accelerate the momentum of school improvement. The Ofsted survey found no problems specific to Technology Colleges.
	The question refers to my answer of 28 January 2003, Official Report, column 783W, which said that since the programme began, 32 Technology Colleges have lost their specialist status in comparison to one school designated in another specialism. The reason for this disparity is that Technology Colleges have been part of the programme for longer and there are many more of them. Technology was the first specialism and was introduced in 1994. Schools come up for re-designation every four years (until 2000 this was every three years).
	There are currently schools operating in eight specialisms in the programmeTechnology Colleges represent 45 per cent. of these schools. The first Language Colleges began operating in 1995. The first Sports and Arts Colleges began operating in 1997. The first specialist schools designated in Science, Engineering, Business and Enterprise and Mathematics and Computing began operating in September 2002.

Student Appraisal

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment he has made of (a) continuous assessment and (b) examinations as alternative mechanisms for student appraisal.

David Miliband: The scope for reducing the total burden of external assessment in GCSE and A-level examinations will be considered by our 1419 Working Group and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. They will be examining the principles underpinning effective assessment, including the nature and amount of assessment. We expect the Working Group to make an interim report within a year.

Teacher Training

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many initial teacher training places funded by his Department have not been filled by the Teacher Training Agency in each subject for each year since 1997.

David Miliband: Information is shown in the following table.
	
		Number of initial teacher training places filled and unfilled between 1997 and 2002(13),(14)
		
			  Filled Unfilled 
		
		
			 199798   
			 Primary 11,749 0 
			 Secondary   
			 Mathematics 1,464 786 
			 English and drama 2,142 8 
			 Science 2,789 511 
			 Modern Foreign Languages 1,799 851 
			 Technology(15) 1,982 1,218 
			 History 964 0 
			 Geography 850 50 
			 Physical Education 1,644 0 
			 Art 896 54 
			 Music 498 102 
			 Religious Education 641 59 
			 Citizenship(16)   
			 Other 297 53 
			 Total secondary 15,966 3,534 
			 Overall total 27,715 2,835 
			
			 199899   
			 Primary 11,828 0 
			 Secondary   
			 Mathematics 1,120 1,030 
			 English and drama 2,133 267 
			 Science 2,279 771 
			 Modern Foreign Languages 1,657 643 
			 Technology(15) 1,682 1,318 
			 History 898 2 
			 Geography 747 253 
			 Physical Education 1,491 0 
			 Art 903 197 
			 Music 493 107 
			 Religious Education 620 130 
			 Citizenship(16)   
			 Other 356 44 
			 Total secondary 14,379 4,721 
			 Overall total 26,207 4,393 
			
			 19992000   
			 Primary 12,096 0 
			 Secondary   
			 Mathematics 1,302 378 
			 English and drama 2,030 130 
			 Science 2,362 28 
			 Modern Foreign Languages 1,469 731 
			 Technology(15) 1,702 1,158 
			 History 816 0 
			 Geography 872 158 
			 Physical Education 1,190 0 
			 Art 799 141 
			 Music 518 52 
			 Religious Education 528 72 
			 Citizenship(16)   
			 Other 283 67 
			 Total secondary 13,871 2,739 
			 Overall total 25,967 2,643 
			 200001   
			 Primary 13,173 0 
			 Secondary   
			 Mathematics 1,290 560 
			 English and drama 2,029 131 
			 Science 2,413 277 
			 Modern Foreign Languages 1,635 415 
			 Technology(15) 1,855 145 
			 History 913 0 
			 Geography 899 191 
			 Physical Education 1,205 0 
			 Art 851 0 
			 Music 560 70 
			 Religious Education 573 92 
			 Citizenship(16)   
			 Other 319 11 
			 Total secondary 14,542 2,073 
			 Overall total 27,715 2,000 
			
			 200102   
			 Primary 13,109 0 
			 Secondary   
			 Mathematics 1,553 387 
			 English and drama 2,224 0 
			 Science 2,594 216 
			 Modern Foreign Languages 1,705 345 
			 Technology(15) 2,160 0 
			 History 922 0 
			 Geography 1,025 150 
			 Physical Education 1,330 0 
			 Art 843 7 
			 Music 654 51 
			 Religious Education 588 62 
			 Citizenship(16)   
			 Other 378 72 
			 Total secondary 15,976 1,414 
			 Overall total 29,085 805 
			
			 200203   
			 Primary 14,451 0 
			 Secondary   
			 Mathematics 1,673 267 
			 English and drama 2,479 0 
			 Science 2,701 149 
			 Modern Foreign Languages 1,732 318 
			 Technology(15) 2,404 96 
			 History 985 0 
			 Geography 946 154 
			 Physical Education 1,325 0 
			 Art 885 0 
			 Music 596 104 
			 Religious Education 576 124 
			 Citizenship(16) 185 15 
			 Other 174 126 
			 Total secondary 16,661 1,129 
			 Overall total 31,112 678 
		
	
	(13) The figures shown for 200102 and 200203 exclude trainees recruited to the Fast Track. Fast Track are not included as part of the TTA's allocated places.
	(14) For subjects where unfilled places are shown as zero, allocated places were exceeded.
	(15) Technology includes design and technology, business studies and information technology.
	(16) 200102 was the first year for recruitment to citizenship, and was included in other subjects along with economics and social studies. In 200203 places allocated to citizenship were separated out and shown separately.
	Source:
	TTA

Teacher Workload

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the reforms designed to reduce teacher workload, as outlined in the November 2002 Teachers report, with specific reference to measures which will help teachers to keep up with the pace of change occurring in their profession;
	(2)  what actions he is taking to ensure there is adequate PPA time for teachers to prepare lessons for their pupils; and how this will balance against teaching time and the time needed to carry out administrative duties.

David Miliband: On 15 January the Government signed an historic national agreement with school workforce unions and most employers. The agreement sets out a series of measures that will extend support staff roles, tackle teacher workload, and free teachers to spend more of their time on teaching and focus on the individual learning needs of all pupils. Contractual changes for teachers will be made, including:
	No requirement routinely to undertake administrative and clerical tasks, including the 24 tasks set out in the agreement, by September 2003;
	A limit of 38 hours on the time a teacher should cover lessons, by September 2004;
	The equivalent of at least 10 per cent. of their timetabled teaching time to be guaranteed for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) by September 2005. PPA are core duties and need core time devoted to them. Guaranteeing time during the school day for this is critical to driving up pupil standards.
	Schools will be expected to work towards these changes as soon as possible and on later than the dates given above.

Teachers Pay

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average teacher's wage paid in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools is, broken down by LEA.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average teacher's salary was for (a) primary and (b) secondary education for each local education authority in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available.

David Miliband: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Truancy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to combat truancy in schools.

Ivan Lewis: We are committed to the Public Service Agreement target to reduce truancies by 10 per cent. by 2004 compared to 2002, to sustain the new lower level, and improve overall attendance levels thereafter. To achieve this objective, we are investing nearly 470 million over the next three years in a national behaviour and attendance strategy to support schools. This includes behaviour and attendance training and audits available to all secondary schools from September. Through the Behaviour Improvement Programme further support is currently being targeted at the 700 schools with the greatest challenges, to be extended to a further 1900 schools by 2005. We have a range of further measures to tackle truancy, including the co-ordination of national truancy sweeps; funding for electronic registration systems; the development of guidance for more effective prosecutions in truancy cases in tandem with a fast-track to prosecution model focusing on multi-agency early intervention to address truancy; and a sustained publicity campaign aimed at parents and pupils. In addition, we are proposing to introduce fixed penalty notices and parenting contracts for parents of persistent truants.

Truancy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated incidence of truancy is in secondary schools broken down by local authority area, in the last year for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: The incidence of truancy is measured by the percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absence. The latest year for which figures are available is September 2001May 2002.
	
		Unauthorised absence in maintained secondary schools in England 200102
		
			 Local education authority Percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absences 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 2.0 
			 Barnet 0.9 
			 Barnsley 1.6 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 1.1 
			 Bedfordshire 0.4 
			 Bexley 1.2 
			 Birmingham 1.6 
			 Blackburn with Danwen 1.3 
			 Blackpool 1.3 
			 Bolton 1.2 
			 Bournemouth 0.6 
			 Bracknell Forest 0.9 
			 Bedford 2.4 
			 Brent 0.7 
			 Brighton and Hove 1.2 
			 Bristol, City of 2.3 
			 Bromley 1.1 
			 Buckinghamshire 0.5 
			 Bury 0.7 
			 Calderdale 0.8 
			 Cambridgeshire 0.8 
			 Camden 1.4 
			 Cheshire 0.9 
			 Cornwall 0.4 
			 Coventry 1.0 
			 Croydon 0.7 
			 Cumbria 0.8 
			 Darlington 1.1 
			 Derby City 1.5 
			 Derbyshire 1.0 
			 Devon 1.1 
			 Doncaster 1.5 
			 Dorset 0.6 
			 Dudley 0.7 
			 Durham 0.7 
			 Ealing 1.0 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 0.9 
			 East Sussex 1.4 
			 Enfield 1.9 
			 Essex 0.9 
			 Gateshead 1.0 
			 Gloucestershire 0.5 
			 Greenwich 2.5 
			 Hackney 2.6 
			 Halton 2.5 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1.8 
			 Hampshire 1.1 
			 Haringey 2.4 
			 Harrow 0.7 
			 Hartlepool 1.6 
			 Havering 0.6 
			 Herefordshire 0.8 
			 Hertfordshire 0.9 
			 Hillingdon 1.5 
			 Hounslow 1.1 
			 Isle of Wight 0.7 
			 Isles of Scilly  
			 Islington 1.7 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1.9 
			 Kent 0.7 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 2.7 
			 Kingston upon Thames 0.6 
			 Kirklees 1.1 
			 Knowsley 3.1 
			 Lambeth 1.0 
			 Lancashire 0.8 
			 Leeds 0.9 
			 Leicester City 2.3 
			 Leicestershire 1.3 
			 Lewisham 2.7 
			 Lincolnshire 0.7 
			 Liverpool 1.8 
			 London, City of  
			 Luton 0.6 
			 Manchester 1.7 
			 Medway 0.6 
			 Merton 1.2 
			 Middlesbrough 1.0 
			 Milton Keynes 0.5 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 1.7 
			 Newham 2.1 
			 Norfolk 1.1 
			 North East Lincolnshire 1.5 
			 North Lincolnshire 1.3 
			 North Somerset 1.1 
			 North Tyneside 0.7 
			 North Yorkshire 0.5 
			 Northamptonshire 1.0 
			 Northumberland 0.4 
			 Nottingham City 3.1 
			 Nottinghamshire 1.3 
			 Oldham 1.4 
			 Oxfordshire 1.3 
			 Peterborough City 1.2 
			 Plymouth 0.6 
			 Poole 0.8 
			 Portsmouth 1.6 
			 Reading 1.2 
			 Redbridge 0.7 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 1.1 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2.5 
			 Rochdale 1.6 
			 Rotherham 1.6 
			 Rutland 0.5 
			 Salford 1.6 
			 Sandwell 1.7 
			 Sefton 0.7 
			 Sheffield 2.2 
			 Shropshire 0.6 
			 Slough 1.2 
			 Solihull 0.9 
			 Somerset 0.6 
			 South Gloucestershire 1.0 
			 South Tyneside 0.6 
			 Southampton 1.3 
			 Southend-on-Sea 1.4 
			 Southwark 1.7 
			 St. Helens 0.9 
			 Staffordshire 0.6 
			 Stockport 0.9 
			 Stockton on Tees 0.5 
			 Stoke on Trent 1.6 
			 Suffolk 0.9 
			 Sunderland 1.0 
			 Surrey 1.0 
			 Sutton 0.9 
			 Swindon 0.8 
			 Tameside 1.0 
			 Telford and The Wrenkin 0.6 
			 Thurrock 0.9 
			 Torbay 1.3 
			 Tower Hamlets 2.4 
			 Trafford 0.7 
			 Wakefield 0.8 
			 Walsall 0.8 
			 Waltham Forest 1.7 
			 Wandsworth 1.3 
			 Warrington 0.6 
			 Warwickshire 0.7 
			 West Berkshire 0.6 
			 West Sussex 0.9 
			 Westminster, City of 1.8 
			 Wigan 0.7 
			 Wiltshire 0.7 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 0.7 
			 Wirral 0.5 
			 Workingham 1.0 
			 Wolverhampton 1.1 
			 Worcestershire 0.6 
			 York, City of 1.0 
			 England 1.1

Undergraduates

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of undergraduates failed to complete their degree courses in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: The available information on non-completion rates is contained in Performance Indicators in Higher Education, published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
	Non-completion rates calculated by HEFCE for full-time students starting first degree courses in UK higher education institutions from 199697 onwards are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Students starting courses in: Non-completion rate-percentage 
		
		
			 199697 18 
			 199798 17 
			 199899 17 
			 19992000 17 
		
	
	Note:
	The non-completion rate has remained broadly the same at 1718 per cent. since 199192
	Figures published in 2002 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that the UK has one of the lowest non-completion rates among OECD countries.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Air Weapons

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal activities involving air pellet guns were successfully prosecuted in each year since 1990; what the average age was of individuals successfully prosecuted using these weapons; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: From the information collected centrally on convictions it is not possible to identify cases arising from recorded crime involving the use of air weapons.
	The available information relates to the number of persons convicted of various offences under the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1997 involving air weapons of all types and is contained in the table. The average age of individuals convicted is not available centrally.
	
		Number of defendants convicted at all courts for offences relating to air weapons, England and Wales 1990 to 2001(17)
		
			 Offence description Statute 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 
		
		
			 Possession of air weapon by persons previously convicted of crime Firearms Act 1 968 Section 2 1 (4) as amended by the Criminal Justice  Public Order Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III 52 49 65 40 42 39 
			 Supplying air weapon to person denied them under Section 21 Ibid Section 21(5) as amended by the Criminal Justice  Public Order Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III 5 4 9 1  3 
			 Carrying loaded air weapon in public place etc. Ibid Section 19 404 272 237 184 218 185 
			 Trespassing with air weapon in a building Ibid Section 20(1) 12 8 6 4 4 2 
			 Trespassing with air weapon on land Ibid Section 20(2) 142 157 95 57 58 51 
			 Person under 17 acquiring air weapon Ibid Section 22(1) 7 1 3 3 2 1 
			 Person under 14 having with him an air weapon or ammunition therefore Ibid Section 22(4) 7 8 6 6 7 14 
			 Person under 17 having with him an air weapon in a public place Ibid Section 22(5) 37 38 32 33 37 45 
			 Person under 14 making improper use of air weapon when under supervision Ibid Section 23(1)   1   1 
			 Person supervising person under 14, permitting improper use of air weapon Ibid Section 22(4)   1
			 Selling or letting on hire an air weapon to person under 17 Ibid Section 24(1) 5 4 2 2 3  
			 Supplying air weapon to person under 14 Ibid Section 24(4) 3 6 1 3 2 2 
			 Supplying air weapon to person drunk or insane Ibid Section 25   
			 Failure to hand over air weapon or ammunition on demand by constable Ibid Section 47(2) 1 1 1  1  
			  All offences relating to air weapons 675 548 459 333 374 343 
		
	
	
		
			   1996 1997 1998 1999 2000(18) 2001 
		
		
			 Possession of air weapon by persons previously convicted of crime Firearms Act 1 968 Section 21(4) as amended by the Criminal Justice  Public Order Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III 49 42 45 47 36 38 
			 Supplying air weapon to person denied them under Section 21 Ibid Section 21(5) as amended by the Criminal Justice  Public Order Act 1994, Sec 157 Sch. 8 part III1   
			 Carrying loaded air weapon in public place etc. Ibid Section 19 202 220 195 176 170 180 
			 Trespassing with air weapon in a building Ibid Section 20(1) 43 1 
			 Trespassing with air weapon on land Ibid Section 20(2) 32 43 54 23 18 27 
			 Person under 17 acquiring air weapon Ibid Section 22(1) 8 3 5 1 3 1 
			 Person under 14 having with him an air weapon or ammunition therefore Ibid Section 22(4) 12 8 6 12 16 3 
			 Person under 17 having with him an air weapon in a public place Ibid Section 22(5) 43 51 47 54 52 46 
			 Person under 14 making improper use of air weapon when under supervision Ibid Section 23(1)   2  1 1 
			 Person supervising person under 14, permitting improper use of air weapon Ibid Section 22(4)  3   2  
			 Selling or letting on hire an air weapon to person under 17 Ibid Section 24(1) 2 1 3 1   
			 Supplying air weapon to person under 14 Ibid Section 24(4) 3 1  2 2 2 
			 Supplying air weapon to person drunk or insane Ibid Section 25   
			 Failure to hand over air weapon or ammunition on demand by constable Ibid Section 47(2)   
			 All offences relating to air weapons 355 372 357 317 303 299 
		
	
	(17) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(18) Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table

Air Weapons

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many (a) convictions and (b) cautions there were for persons under 17 years having an air weapon in a public place in each year since 1996;
	(2)  how many (a) convictions and (b) cautions there were for carrying a loaded air weapon in a public place in each year since 1996;
	(3)  how many (a) convictions and (b) cautions there were for persons under 14 having an air weapon or ammunition in each year since 1996.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is shown in the table. This relates to England and Wales and covers the years 1996 to 2001.
	Information for 2002 is due for publication in the late autumn of this year.
	
		Number of persons convicted or cautioned for various firearms offencesEngland and Wales 1996 to 2001(19)
		
			  Offence description and statute 
			  Carrying a loaded air weapon in a public place etc.Firearms Act 1968 Section 19 Person under 17 having with him an air weapon in a public placeFirearms Act 1968 Section 22(5) Person under 14 having with him an air weapon or ammunitionFirearms Act 1968 Section 22(4) 
		
		
			 Convicted
			 1996 202 43 12 
			 1997 220 51 8 
			 1998 195 47 6 
			 1999 176 54 12 
			 2000(20) 170 52 16 
			 2001 180 46 3 
			 Cautioned
			 1996 373 258 70 
			 1997 320 246 52 
			 1998 394 237 44 
			 1999 282 197 54 
			 2000 213 150 45 
			 2001 180 100 24 
		
	
	(19) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(20) Staffordshire Police were only able to submit sample data for persons convicted at magistrates courts in 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.

Air Weapons

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to restrict the use of air guns by minors.

Bob Ainsworth: The Government are determined to tackle the problem of air weapon misuse. We intend to increase from 14 years to 17 the age at which a person can own an air weapon, and to tighten up on when they can be used without adult supervision. In addition, we propose to introduce a new offence of having an air weapon in a public place without lawful cause or reasonable excuse. This offence will have a power of arrest attached to it.

Algerian Asylum Seekers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many asylum seekers from Algeria were (a) granted asylum, (b) rejected for asylum and in subsequent appeal and (c) were removed from the UK in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many Algerian citizens have sought asylum in the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Beverley Hughes: The available information is provided in the tables. The appeals allowed and dismissed figures, and the figures for removals and voluntary departures, given do not necessarily relate to the refusals in the same year. These could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records. The figures exclude subsequent appeals (court of appeal, judicial review and the House of Lords).
	
		Table 1: Asylum applications(21) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, initial decisions(22), removals and voluntary departures(23), nationals of Algeria
		
			   Initial decisions(24) 
			Cases considered under normal procedures Backlog clearance exercise 
			  Applications received Total initial decisions Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave Total refused Grants of ELR under backlog criteria(25),(26) Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria(25),(27) Removals and voluntary departures(24) 
		
		
			 1992 150 15 (28) 5 10 (29) (29) 25 
			 1993 275 140 10 10 115 (29) (29) 50 
			 1994 995 440 20 10 410 (29) (29) 85 
			 1995 1,865 745 15 10 720 (29) (29) 150 
			 1996 715 1,880 30 15 1,835 (29) (29) 200 
			 1997 715 765 105 5 655 (29) (29) 180 
			 1998 1,260 500 310 15 180 (29) (29) 65 
			 1999(30) 1,385 905 475 30 160 205 30 (33) 
			 2000(30),(31),(32) 1,635 1,935 65 45 1,330 415 85 (33) 
			 2001(34) 1,145 2,665 60 75 2,530 (29) (29) 125 
		
	
	(21) Figures rounded to nearest 5
	(22) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(23) Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.
	(24) The refusal figures for each year do not necessarily relate to the applications received in the same year. The removals figures for each year do not necessarily relate to initial decisions made or appeals heard in the same year.
	(25) Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre 1996 asylum backlog.
	(26) Includes cases where asylum or exceptional leave has been granted under the backlog criteria.
	(27) Includes some cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.
	(28) Equals 1 or 2.
	(29) Zero.
	(30) May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January 1999 and March 2000.
	(31) ases considered under the normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.
	(32) rom October 2000, the source for data on decisions changed. The nationality breakdown is therefore not directly comparable with previous months.
	(33) ationality data is not available for 1999 and 2000 due to data quality issues on IS enforcement databases
	(34) rovisional data.
	
		Table 2: Outcome of appeals(35)determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, nationals of Algeria
		
			  Appeals determined by adjudicators(36) 
			  Total Allowed Dismissed Withdrawn 
		
		
			 1992 (37) (37) (37) (37) 
			 1993 (37) (37) (37) (37) 
			 1994 80 (38) 70 5 
			 1995 190 (38) 160 20 
			 1996 225 20 165 40 
			 1997 520 50 445 25 
			 1998 235 40 135 60 
			 1999 (37) (37) (37) (37) 
			 2000 (37) (37) (37) (37) 
			 2001 1,140 140 960 45 
		
	
	(35) Provisional estimated figures rounded to the nearest 5.
	(36) Figures are based on the cases for which information is recorded on the Refugee Index for the years 1994 to 1998.
	(37) Appeals data by nationality are not available.
	(38) Equals 1 or 2.
	Information on the number of asylum applications, initial decisions and removals is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next publication will be available from 28 February and will cover the final quarter of 2002.

Algerians

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Algerians have been granted (a) temporary leave to stay and (b) permanent leave to stay in the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Beverley Hughes: The table gives the number of Algerian nationals granted leave to enter, extensions of leave to remain and settlement (leave to stay permanently) in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years.
	
		
			  Passengers given leave to enter the UK (number of journeys) Grants of extensions of leave to remain (number of decisions) Grants of settlement (number of persons) 
		
		
			 2001 25,800 1,060 770 
			 2000 21,600 850 1,010 
			 1999 19,100 860 1,130 
			 1998 18,500 600 710 
			 1997 17,600 740 370 
			 1996 18,200 740 400 
			 1995 17,600 750 440 
			 1994 18,900 760 400 
			 1993 16,100 900 330 
			 1992 15,300 1,180 240 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, or three significant figures.
	2. The figures given for passengers given leave to enter the UK are of the numbers of journeys made. A person who makes more than one journey is counted on each occasion.
	3. Asylum-related grants of settlement rose sharply in 1999 and 2000 due to (a) a change in the rules reducing the qualifying periods for people granted asylum and exceptional leave to remain, and effectively increasing the number of people eligible for settlement and (b) grants of asylum or exceptional leave to remain under a backlog criteria which contributed significantly to the increase but has now largely been completed.
	Detailed information on general immigration can be found in the Home Office publication, Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2001, available in the Library and via the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/commandpubs1.html

Asylum Process

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of the asylum process, including appeals, was for individuals who arrived in the UK in 2002.

Beverley Hughes: The information is not available for individuals who applied for asylum in 2002 because some applications are still awaiting initial decision or appeals outcomes.
	Information on the average time for cases decided, up to and including final appeal, will be published in the Home Office's Annual Report in order to report on the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target 7 published in July 2002.

Asylum Seekers

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for asylum, broken down by country of origin, have had their applications refused since 22 October 2001; and how many are known (a) to have left the United Kingdom and (b) to have remained within the United Kingdom.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 February 2003
	Information on asylum applications is published quarterly and provides data on initial decisions, appeal outcomes, and removals, by nationality for the latest available calendar months and quarter.
	The tables show the number of refusals from initial decisions of asylum applications, and the number of asylum applicants removed from the United Kingdom, between 1 October 2001 and 30 September 2002. This information excludes the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions. Some applicants refused at the initial decision stage will be awaiting the outcome of appeals.
	The removal figures do not necessarily relate to the initial decision refusals in the same period. Information on the total number of failed applicants known to have left the United Kingdom and the number known to have remained within the United Kingdom is not available. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records. In addition some applicants may leave the United Kingdom without informing the Immigration Service.
	Information on the number of asylum applications, initial decisions and removals is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. The next publication will be available from 28 February and will cover the final quarter of 2002.
	
		Refusals(39),(40) of asylum and exceptional leave in the UK, excluding dependants, by nationality, October 2001 to September 2002
		
			  Initial decisions Total Refused 
		
		
			 Europe   
			 Albania 1,280 975 
			 Czech Republic 1,065 1,060 
			 FRY 4,340 2,940 
			 Macedonia 665 440 
			 Poland 800 790 
			 Romania 1,160 1,100 
			 Russia 385 355 
			 Turkey 4,400 4,015 
			 Ukraine 395 375 
			 Other Former USSR 1,855 1,660 
			 Other Former Yugoslavia 200 175 
			 Others 400 365 
			 Total 16,945 14,265 
			
			 Americas   
			 Colombia 530 460 
			 Ecuador 305 275 
			 Jamaica 725 700 
			 Others 170 155 
			 Total 1,725 1,590 
			
			 Middle East   
			 Iran 3,180 2,550 
			 Iraq 9,820 3,035 
			 Others 920 655 
			 Total 13,915 6,240 
			 Africa   
			 Algeria 1,185 1,125 
			 Angola 1,295 580 
			 Burundi 665 345 
			 Congo 580 455 
			 Dem Rep of Congo 2,055 1,545 
			 Eritrea 960 600 
			 Ethiopia 765 500 
			 Gambia 95 90 
			 Ghana 265 235 
			 Ivory Coast 220 190 
			 Kenya 395 335 
			 Nigeria 1,145 1,050 
			 Rwanda 725 275 
			 Sierra Leone 1,835 1,550 
			 Somalia 7,040 2,840 
			 Sudan 495 395 
			 Tanzania 50 40 
			 Uganda 725 550 
			 Zimbabwe 4,535 3,045 
			 Others 1,530 1,205 
			 Total 26,565 16,945 
			
			 Asia   
			 Afghanistan 9,290 2,740 
			 Bangladesh 595 470 
			 China 3,725 3,480 
			 India 1,930 1,870 
			 Nepal 665 645 
			 Pakistan 2,790 2,525 
			 Sri Lanka 5,065 4,175 
			 Others 1,145 910 
			 Total 25,210 16,815 
			 Nationality not known 260 175 
			 Grand total 84,625 56,025 
		
	
	(39) Figures rounded to nearest five, and are provisional.
	(40) Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	
		Removal of asylum seekers
		
			  Qtr 4 2001 Qtr 1 2002 Qtr 2 2002 Qtr 3 2002 Total removed 
		
		
			 Principal Applicants 2,520 2,445 2,585 2,750 10,300 
			 Dependants 500 480 535 815 2,330 
			 Total 3,025 2,920 3,120 3,565 12,630 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Includes persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action has been initiated against them and persons leaving under the Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the IOM.
	2. Provisional data, rounded to the nearest five.

Asylum Seekers

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been refused support by NASS on the basis of not having made their claim as soon as is reasonably practicable after arriving in the UK on each day since 8 January.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 February 2003
	Statistics on the operation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, which came into force on 8 January 2003, will be released in due course.

Car-jacking

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many car-jackings have taken place in the Greater London area in each of the last three years.

Bob Ainsworth: Car jacking is not a specific recorded crime category under Home Office counting rules and the information requested is not available centrally. Offences involving the theft or attempted theft of a motorised vehicle by threat or use of force are recorded as either robbery or theft of a motor vehicle.

Commissioners and Tribunals

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are (a) employed, and (b) planned to be employed, by each of the commissioners and tribunals which have been created by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Intelligence Services Act 1994; and what the annual budget allocated to each commissioner and tribunal is.

David Blunkett: The Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the Interception, of Communications and Intelligence Services Commissioners are currently supported by a Secretariat consisting of three administrative staff. This is planned to rise to six administrative staff over the next few years.
	The Office of the Surveillance Commissioner currently has eight support staff. Six surveillance commissioners, three assistant surveillance commissioners, a lead surveillance inspector and four surveillance inspectors assist the Chief Surveillance Commissioner.
	For the current financial year the budget for the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner is 1,182,000 and that for the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the Interception of Communications and Intelligence Services Commissioners Secretariat is 167,000.

Communications Data

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the voluntary code of practice which relates to the retention of communications data.

David Blunkett: We intend to publish a draft Code of Practice shortly.

Communications Data

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of (a) the number of officials who will be allowed to demand access to communications data and (b) the number of requests they are anticipated to make broken down by Government department; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: The number of officials ('designated persons') able to require communications data will be determined by Orders to be made under Chapter II, Part I of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. We aim to lay these Orders following consultation on the addition of public authorities to the Chapter II regime. The consultation paper, to be issued shortly, will contain the best available information on the numbers of requests for communications data by public authorities.

Congestion Charge

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place between law enforcement agencies and the (a) Mayor of London and (b) Information Commissioner concerning the retention of vehicle identification data collected by the congestion charge administration systems for law enforcement purposes.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 6 February 2003
	The Metropolitan Police have discussed and agreed a protocol with Transport for London, under which data on vehicles of interest to the police in combating crime and terrorism are passed to and retained by congestion charge administration systems, and the police are then notified of any movements of the vehicles. I am assured that the data are retained and accessed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Information Commissioner has been consulted.
	The Immigration Service have had no discussions with Transport for London or the Information Commissioner.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has not replied to the letter to him dated 28 November from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. S. Singh.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 February 2003.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 14 December from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. Emilia Chinweokwu Unegbu-Kirby.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 February 2003.

Cremation (Amputated Limbs)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the Regulation as to Cremation 1930, SR  O 1930/1016 to allow amputees to arrange for the cremation of their amputated limbs while they are still alive.

Hilary Benn: We have no such plans.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 21 January 2003, Official Report, column 291W, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what the cost was of the independent review conducted by the French Thornton Partnership Ltd.; and what proportion will be paid by (a) Capita and (b) the Home Office.

Hilary Benn: The cost of the independent review conducted by the French Thornton Partnership Ltd. was approximately 76,000.00. The entire cost was borne by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), an Executive Agency of the Home Office who commissioned the review.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken to inform applicants to the Criminal Records Bureau that ex-gratia payments can be made if there has been an element of maladministration in processing their application.

Hilary Benn: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has published a Complaints Procedure leaflet, which details the process customers should take if they are not completely satisfied with the service. All complaints regarding maladministration are rigorously investigated and if appropriate, financial redress is made. While there is no specific mention made of ex-gratia payments in the CRB's publicity material, a customer is invited as part of the complaints process to make a claim if he or she feels that an aspect of the service has been mishandled and that this has resulted in loss. Customers are given appropriate advice about redress when they contact the bureau. The complaints procedure is also available in the information pack that is issued to all registered bodies and on the disclosure website, www.disclosure.gov.uk.
	The CRB's main concern is to resolve any issues affecting the process of an application. In the first instance, a customer is encouraged to contact the CRB help line service or put their complaint in writing to the CRB customer service manager. The applicant's details will then be directed to the appropriate department for investigation and they will endeavour to resolve the issues raised.
	If the customer is not completely satisfied with the way their complaint has been handled, they would be advised to write to the CRB operations director. Should the applicant remain dissatisfied with the operations director's reply they are able to refer their complaint in writing to the chief executive. Alternatively, people may contact their MP who will then raise the matter with the Minister or CRB chief executive. The CRB has appointed a complaint mediator to resolve those complaints where the customer remains dissatisfied with the chief executive's reply. The complaint mediator will make recommendations to the CRB for resolving any outstanding issues.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of the monthly Business Sector data reports that his Department has received in each of the last six months from the Criminal Records Bureau.

Hilary Benn: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) produces a monthly Business Performance Report for consideration by the CRB Management Board. This provides detailed monthly management information on CRB performance.
	As part of the Freedom of Information initiative consideration will be given to publishing these reports on the CRB website, and copying them to the Library, subject to any Commercial in Confidence issues.

Data Surveillance

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to revoke the powers of NHS bodies to undertake surveillance; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	On 1 January 2003 a new National Health Service Counter Fraud and Security Management Service was created, which should be fully operational from 1 April 2003.
	One of its tasks will be to review the arrangements for authorising applications to carry out directed surveillance under Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in NHS trusts as recommended in paragraph 8.25 of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner's report for 200102 (HC68).

Drug Use

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the report commissioned by him and prepared by Steven Pudney of the University of Leicester on possible links between soft and hard drug use; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Professor Pudney's report, The Road to Ruin, studied the links between a group of drugs (LSD, amphetamine and cannabis) and subsequent use of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and crack. It identifies a small but significant link between this group of drugs and cocaine and ecstasy. However the report indicates that there is little relationship between the use of this group and the later involvement with heroin and crack. It does not differentiate between cannabis, amphetamine and LSD (which is a Class A drug) so does not prove the case either way of cannabis as a gateway drug.
	The findings of the report show that social, economic and family circumstances seem to be the dominant influences on young people's risk of becoming involved in crime and the most harmful drugs. We know that some young people are at particular risk of developing problems with substance misuse. That is why the Government is committed to helping those who are most at risk of developing drug problems through an improved range of early intervention and prevention programmes, which includes education and diversionary activities aimed at young people in high crime areas.
	The other key influence on drug use identified in the report is the impact on individuals of the growing social acceptance of drug use and availability of supply. The Government is committed to tackling the social acceptance of drug use through ensuring that all young people and their parents understand the risks and dangers of drugs and know where to go for advice or help. A major new campaign will be launched this spring to drive home the risks of drugs, based on credible information on the dangers of all drugs and encourage young people and their parents to seek further information and advice where necessary. It is important that the message that all illegal drugs are harmful is clear, consistent and widely heard. The updated national drug strategy gives a stronger focus on education and prevention for young people. This means we must also make illegal drugs harder to obtain and tackle the supply at all levels. We will heavily penalise those caught dealing in any drugs, increase the recovery of drug-related criminal assets and strengthen enforcement at a local level. Class A drugs damage the lives of individuals, families and communities. That is why the updated national drug strategy has a tougher focus on Class A drugs.

Empty Homes

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many empty homes his Department (a) had five years ago and (b) has now, by region; if he will establish an empty homes strategy within his Department; and if he will set a target for reduction in empty homes.

Beverley Hughes: As at 1 April 1998 the Prison Service had 161 empty homes out of a total of 1,625. The number in each region is not known. There was an additional vacant property at the Emergency Planning College, which is now the responsibility of the Cabinet Office.
	As at 24 January 2003 the Prison Service had three empty homes out of a total of 599. These are located in Leeds, Hertfordshire and London and have been vacant for less than six months.
	All homes, whether empty or occupied, are under constant review. Generally homes which become vacant are not re-let but are sold on the open market. Consideration is being given to the reintroduction and extension of a scheme under which eligible occupiers are able to buy their homes. However, due to recruitment and retention problems in London and the south-east accommodation in these areas is being retained and in some cases converted for multiple occupation. These properties are re-let on a short-term basis, which will not normally exceed multiples of six months.

Experience Corps

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are members of the Experience Corps scheme; and how many have left.

Beverley Hughes: As at 31 December 2002, figures supplied by Experience Corps state that they had 79,145 members of which 75,028 had been placed and that they have removed the details of 2,983 members from their database since the programme began.

Infanticidal Mothers

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Criminal Cases Review Commission has to review the cases of mothers convicted of murdering their infant children.

Hilary Benn: Generally, the Commission can only examine the cases of those who apply to it.Whilst there are exceptions to this, such as the Commission approaching the convicted co-defendants of an applicant whose case merits a referral, this would not extend to examining whole categories of cases such as mothers convicted of murdering their infant children. The Commission publicises its work and the need for applications. Its information pack and audio and videotapes are circulated to Prisons and the Commission has attended prison information days at Her Majesty's Prison Holloway.
	Factors such as the age and ill health of applicants and witnesses, and the possibility of the deterioration of evidence are taken into account in assigning priority to applications to the Commission. Priority is also assigned to cases that the Commission believes to be of particular significance to the criminal justice system. Otherwise applications are generally reviewed in date order of receipt, with in-custody cases generally being assigned one year of priority over at-liberty cases.The application of Sally Clark was given priority under this system.

Misuse of Drugs Act

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the responses he has received to the consultation on the draft guidelines in implementing the changes to section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 made by section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 6 February 2003
	In line with Cabinet Office Guidance on written consultations, a summary of the views expressed in the consultation on draft guidelines will be published alongside the decision made in the light of that consultation. Individual responses will be made available to anyone who asks for them providing the respondent has not sought confidentiality.

Passports

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals claimed their new passports were lost in the post in 2002; in how many of those cases the Passport Agency issued a replacement passport; and what discussions the Passport Agency has had with the Post Office to ensure new passports are not mislaid in the post.

Beverley Hughes: The UK Passport Service's records indicate that 2,982 passports were reported as having been lost in the post in the calendar year January to December 2002. Replacement passports would have been issued in response to almost all of these reports.
	The UK Passport Service has on-going and regular discussions with the Royal Mail about the loss of passports in the post and about options for delivery which might reduce the number of losses. They work together on investigations into the disappearance of passports in the postal system.
	The UK Passport Service issues around 5.5 million passports annually and the vast majority arrive safely at their destination using first class mail. Also, the digital passport contains advanced security features which makes it extremely difficult to manipulate and is of limited value in the hands of somebody other than the rightful holder. Nevertheless losses in the post remain a concern to the UK Passport Service and it is actively investigating alternative, more secure and convenient methods of delivering passports to its customers. It hopes to reach a business decision on this shortly.

Press Releases

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each (a) year and (b) quarter from 199596 to 200203; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: The number of press releases issued each year by the Department was:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1995 308 
			 1996 404 
			 1997 386 
			 1998 524 
			 1999 450 
			 2000 472 
			 2001 (41)404 
			 2002 480 
			 2003 37 (in January) 
		
	
	(41) Press notices for the Prison Service are included in this total from May 2001.
	Notes:
	1. These figures include press notices issued on behalf of the Prisons, Police, Probation and Fire Inspectorates.
	2. Quarterly figures for the past seven years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Surveillance Commissioner

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to respond to the observations on the powers of the police to undertake surveillance made by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 8.9 of his Annual Report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: It is for Chief Constables to implement the recommendations made following inspections by a Surveillance Commissioner. The Chief Surveillance Commissioner can, if necessary, report to my right hon .Friend the Prime Minister (Mr .Blair) on any failure to implement recommendations.

Surveillance Commissioner

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to remove the powers of parish councils to undertake surveillance as recommended by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 8.14.13 of his annual report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: Yes.

Surveillance Commissioner

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to review the draft Codes of Practice which relate to surveillance to take account of the observations made by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 9.2 of his Annual Report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: The draft codes became statutory codes of practice on 1 August 2002.The statutory codes take account of the comments made by the Chief Surveillance Commissioner.

Surveillance Commissioner

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to address the observations on NHS Scotland, made by the Surveillance Commissioner in paragraph 8.12 of his Annual Report (HC 68); and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: Surveillance activities by National Health Service (NHS) Scotland are governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000. The Chief Surveillance Commissioner has written to the First Minister in Scotland about the issues raised in his Annual Report (HC 68).

Surveillance Warrants

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many communications surveillance warrants were issued in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland in each year since 1990.

David Blunkett: The figures for interception warrants issued since 1990 are published annually in the reports of the Commissioner, initially appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 (IOCA) and, since 2 October 2000, under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). Copies of the reports are placed in the Library.
	Figures for 2002 are 1,466 (England and Wales) and 139 (Scotland). The Interception Commissioner has given his consent that these figures should be published in advance of his annual report.

Telephone Helplines

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone helplines are sponsored by his Department; and which of these helplines are charged at (a) national rate, (b) premium rate and (c) local rate.

Beverley Hughes: The information on help lines is as follows:
	
		
			 Organisation Enquiry Service Number Rate 
			 MAIN HO NUMBER General HO enquiries 0870 000 1585 National 
		
		
			  Text phone 020 7273 3476 Local/National(42) 
			 Ind Immigration Enquiries 0870 606 7766 National 
			  Mini com 0800 38 98 289 Free 
			  Nationality enquiries 0151 237 5200 National 
			  Asylum support (NASS) 0845 602 1739 National 
			  NASS helpline 0845 6000914 National 
			  NASS Voluntary Return helpline 0845 6000914 National 
			 Prison Service Prison Service enquiry Line 0870000 1397 National 
			  Prison Service Victim Helpline 0845 758 5112 Local 
			  Assisted Prison Visits Unit 0845 300 1423 Local 
			  Prison Officer Recruitment 0845 300 0790 Local 
			  Prisoners' Family Helpline 0808 808 2003 Free (43) 
			 UKPS Passport Advice Line 0870 521 0410 National 
			  Textphone Service 0870 240 8090 National 
			  Application Form Request line 0901 4700 110 Premium (44) 
			  Information Faxback Service 0901 4700 130 Premium (44) 
			  Request Application Form by Fax 0901 4700 120 Premium (44) 
			 CRB CRB Information Line 0870 9090811 National 
			  Registration Line 0870 9090 822 National 
			  Disclosure Line 0870 9090 844 National 
			  Minicom Line 0870 90 90 344 National 
			  Welsh line 0870 90 90 233 National 
			 FSS Headquarters 0121 607 6800 National 
			 HMI Prisons Headquarters 0207035 2103 Local/National(42) 
			 HMI Probation Headquarters 020 7035 2202 Local/National(42) 
			   0161 8480566 National 
			 HMI Constabulary Wales  C. England 01527 882000 National 
			  E. England  London 01223467115 National 
			  N. England 01924332822 National 
			  S. England 01483 215328 National 
			  HMIC Training office 01483 215 332 National 
			 Prison  Probation Ombudsman  020 7035 2876 Local/National(42) 
			   0845 0107938 Local 
		
	
	(42) cost dependent upon the location of the caller
	(43) freealthough mobile phone networks may set their own tariffs
	(44) calls charged at 0.60 per minute and the cost should not exceed 0.90.

Temporary Visa Holders

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas for temporary stays in the United Kingdom (a) were issued and (b) have expired since 29 October 2001; and of the latter (i) how many holders are known to have left the country and (ii) how many holders are known not to have left the country (A) because of applications for asylum, (B) for other lawful reasons and (C) for other unlawful reasons.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 February 2003
	The latest available data on entry clearance applications for temporary purposes are 1,424,880 applications granted in 2000.
	Decisions made in 2001 have not yet been published due to a change in the data available. Data for 2001 and 2002 will be published later this year.
	Information on the number of visas which have expired is not available.
	Information on the number of visa holders who are known to have left the United Kingdom is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost by examination of case records. Additionally, these individuals may leave the United Kingdom without informing the Immigration Service.
	Detailed information on general immigration can be found in the Home Office publication, Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2001, available in the Library and via the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/commandpubs1.html.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent advice his Department has issued to procurement staff regarding the procurement of timber from legal and sustainable sources.

Beverley Hughes: A Timber Procurement Bulletin was sent to all Home Office Procurement Units, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPB's) in June 2002. It is also available on the Home Office intranet site. The bulletin included the model contract specification clause, promulgated by Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in May 2002, together with background information and contact points for further information.

Visas

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries from which citizens do not require a visa to enter the UK, but to which UK citizens do require a visa to gain entry.

Beverley Hughes: The visa requirements for UK nationals visiting other countries vary depending on the purpose and duration of stay and therefore a list of countries as requested cannot be provided. However, details of the visa and entry requirements for UK nationals visiting other countries can be found under the travel section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk Details of UK visa requirements can be found on the UK Visas website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many sites have been referred by the Government on the basis of intelligence as having weapons of mass destruction to the UN weapons inspection team in Iraq.

Mike O'Brien: The Government regularly share information with the UN weapons inspection teams, including information about sites of concern.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many searches were initiated by UK intelligence of the 100 sites investigated in Iraq by UN weapons inspectors.

Mike O'Brien: The Government regularly shares information with the UN weapons inspectors. It is a matter for them to decide upon how to follow up on information passed to them.

Afghanistan

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department has made in meeting its public service agreement target on reducing opium production in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The UK is co-ordinating international support for Afghanistan's drug control efforts and has produced, in consultation with the Afghan government, other donors and international agencies, a strategy for building up Afghan drug law enforcement capacity and providing alternative livelihoods to opium poppy farmers. Experience in Thailand and Pakistan shows that a concerted and co-ordinated effort to eliminate opium poppy cultivation can be successful in the long-term.
	At the Afghanistan Reconstruction Conference in January 2002 the UK pledged 200 million of financial assistance over four years. 65 million has already been committed to humanitarian and reconstruction programmes. In December 2002 Her Majesty's Customs  Excise delivered the first of a series of counter-narcotics courses for the Afghan police. The Government's Public Service Agreement to contribute to the elimination of Afghan opium cultivation in ten years comes into effect on 1 April 2003. Officials are working on a delivery plan.

Afghanistan

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the US Government, (b) the Turkish Government and (c) the German Government regarding building a secure future for the people of Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Afghanistan is frequently on the agenda of meetings at the UN and NATO, in which representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office take part along with colleagues from the US, Turkey and Germany. This is in addition to discussions on Afghanistan at regular bilateral meetings with the countries mentioned. Periodic G8 and EU meetings on Afghanistan provide further opportunities to talk to the US and German governments.

Afghanistan

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the estimated amount of opium produced in Afghanistan was in each year from 1997 to date.

Mike O'Brien: Since 1994 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has published an annual opium poppy survey for Afghanistan. The estimated amounts (in metric tons) of opium produced for the period since 1997 are as follows:
	19972,804
	19982,693
	19994,565
	20003,276
	2001185
	20023,400

American Prisons (UK Nationals)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals are held in (a) prison, (b) custody and (c) detention in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: As of 30 January 2003 we were aware of 534 British citizens in prison in the US, 97 British citizens in custody in the US and 60 British citizens in detention in the US. The table gives a breakdown of the numbers detained in each of our consular districts in the US. We have interpreted the in prison cases as those serving custodial sentences following a criminal conviction, the in custody cases as those awaiting trial or sentencing and the in detention cases as those detained by the US Immigration and Nationalisation Service (INS).
	
		British Nationals detained in the United States as of 30 January 2003
		
			 Post In prison In custody In detention 
		
		
			 Atlanta 35 4 5 
			 Boston 10 3 5 
			 Chicago 38 5 0 
			 Houston 138 5 13 
			 Los Angeles 20 14 13 
			 New York 144 27 12 
			 Orlando 102 33 10 
			 San Francisco 29 1 1 
			 Seattle 11 2 0 
			 Washington 7 3 1 
			 Total 534 97 60 
			 Grand total 691

Balkans

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Balkan countries to assess the progress that has been made towards peace and security in the region; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited the Balkans in November 2002 and held useful talks with the political leaders in Belgrade, Pristina and Sarajevo. I also visited the region several times last year. I would expect further such visits to go ahead this year. My right hon. Friend and I were encouraged by progress made so far, especially in maintaining peace and security in Bosnia and Kosovo. The Foreign Secretary and I have also held talks with Lord Ashdown and Michael Steiner, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Kosovo, in respect of their work in Bosnia and Kosovo. The new arrangements redefining the relationship between Serbia and Montenegro are a good example of how differences can be resolved in the Balkans through peaceful negotiation. We will continue to engage closely with all governments in the region to integrate them more fully with the EU and international community. This includes improved co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal on the former Yugoslavia.

Diplomatic Representation

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) embassies and (b) high commissions there are abroad; and how many have been (i) closed and (ii) opened in each year since 1997.

Jack Straw: The FCO is currently represented overseas in 106 embassies and 46 high commissions.
	The table gives details of the opening of embassies and high commissions since 1997. There have been no closures of embassies or high commissions during this period. In some cases the mission has been opened previously but not formally as an embassy or high commission. The previous status of the mission is signified in the table.
	In addition to these missions the FCO has opened 18 subordinate posts and closed six.
	
		Post opening and closing since 1997
		
			 Name Open Previous status 
		
		
			 200001   
			 Asmara 1 Previously opened in 199394 with local staff only 
			 Tripoli, Libya 1 Mission originally represented by British Interest Section in the Italian embassy 
			 200102   
			 Pyongyang 1  
			 Bamako 1 Previously opened in 2000 with local staff only 
			 Dushanbe 1  
			 Kabul 1  
			 200203   
			 Conakry 1 Previously opened in 19992000 with local staff only 
			 Dili 1 Mission originally opened in 2000 as an office of Jakarta

EU Accession Anniversary

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the costs were of events and publicity sponsored and organised by his Department in the United Kingdom and abroad to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Union.

Denis MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office produced a variety of written material to mark the 30th anniversary of the UK's EU accession for use in electronic and print media. This included articles for the press and a quiz, displayed on the FCO website and distributed to the regional press via the Government News Network (GNN) at a cost of 500.
	The FCO also sponsored a display of European Poems on the Underground related to the 30th anniversary. This project was designed to raise awareness of the anniversary and of the FCO website (which gives detailed information about the EU) among the 2.2 million people who use the tube every day, as well as wider media. The total cost of the project was 15,000.

EU Association Agreements

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions are available to the EU in the event of a non-EU state breaching the terms of an Association Agreement with the EU.

Denis MacShane: The provisions of the Association Agreements vary. In the case of Association Agreements between the EU and Euro-Mediterranean Partner countries there are provisions for referring any dispute between the Parties to arbitration. If either Party considers that the other has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Agreement it may take appropriate measures, giving priority to those which least disturb the functioning of the Agreement.

Guantanamo Bay (British Prisoners)

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure British prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay are treated in accordance with international law.

Jack Straw: I have had regular contacts with the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, about the position of the British detainees at Guantanamo Bay, most recently on 23 January. We have made clear our position that, whatever their status, the detainees are entitled to humane treatment, and, if prosecuted, a fair trial. The US has assured us it is treating the men humanely and in accordance with the principles of the Geneva Conventions.
	British officials have visited the detainees on four occasions to check on their welfare and none showed any visible signs of mistreatment.

Guantanamo Bay (British Prisoners)

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration to arrange the (a) repatriation and (b) trial of British prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: I have had regular contacts with the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, about the position of the British Detainees at Guantanamo Bay, most recently on 23 January. We have encouraged the US to move forward with the process of determining the detainees' future, and shall continue to do so. Any prosecution of the detainees in the UK would be a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service, not the Government.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions since 21st October 2002 UK Ministers have raised with Israel in (a) bilateral meetings and (b) correspondence the issue of goods from settlements in the Occupied Territories.

Denis MacShane: This specific issue has not been raised in Ministerial contacts since 21 October 2002. The UK Permanent Representative to the European Union raised it in talks with the Israeli Ambassador to the EU in January.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his Answer of 3 February, Official Report, column 8W, on Israel, whether proposals have yet been produced by Israel on the issue of goods exported to the EU which come from settlements in the Occupied Territories.

Denis MacShane: Israel has not yet produced proposals. Now that the election period is over, we hope Israel will do so without delay.

Ministerial Visits

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which European capital cities the Minister for Europe has visited since his appointment; and which European capital cities he plans to visit over the next three months.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 10 February 2003
	I have visited Berlin, Bratislava, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Paris, Prague, Rome, Tallinn Vienna and Vilnius since my appointment. I will continue my programme of visits to European capitals over the next three months and beyond.

Palestinian Authority

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the use made by the Palestinian Authority of funding supplied to it by the European Union; and what steps are taken to ensure that such aid is used for the purposes for which it is intended.

Denis MacShane: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear on 21 January 2003, Official Report column 149, it is our assessment that EU assistance to the Palestinian Authority provides essential support, without which it is likely that it would not be able to continue operating. At the London meeting on Palestinian reform on 14 January, there was widespread recognition that the Palestinian Authority had achieved great progress in reforming the way that their financial systems operate.
	We attach great importance to the highest standards of financial management being adhered to in the disbursement of all EU funding and take seriously any allegations of misuse. The European Commission has in place a number of stringent monitoring and control measures in the implementation of EU financial assistance programmes and disbursements of EU monies to the Palestinian Authority. To date, the Commission has found no evidence that EU monies have been misused by the Palestinian Authority in order to finance terrorism or for anything other than their agreed purpose.
	The European Commission has committed itself to continuing to help the Ministry of Finance ensure proper oversight of all Palestinian Authority finances. This is a core objective of several conditions attached to EU budgetary support. A letter of 21 January 2003 from External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten to the European Parliament setting out in detail the Commission's oversight of funding to the Palestinian Authority is available on its Europa website www.europa.eu.int.

Saudi Arabia (British Detainees)

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Department has made of whether there is forensic evidence that incriminates the British detainees charged with bombings in Saudi Arabia.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 February 2003, Official Report, column 386W.

Serbia and Montenegro

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the decision by the Yugoslav parliament to loosen ties between Serbia and Montenegro; what implications he estimates this will have for the future of the region; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: On 4 February I congratulated the leaders of Serbia and Montenegro on adopting their new Constitutional Charter, which redefined future relations between the two republics and replaced the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In doing so they have clearly shown to the region a readiness to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiation. Under the new arrangements Serbia and Montenegro will share control of foreign affairs, defence, foreign economic relations, internal economic relations and human and minority rights. But they have also retained the option of reconsidering, after three years and via a referendum, the status of Serbia and Montenegro.

Sudan

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the sale of the Alenia Marconi Systems radar system to the Government of Sudan and its use by that government.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2003
	A modern air traffic control system is needed for the large number of commercial and humanitarian flights that fly over and within Sudan and is crucial for the safety of United Nations and Non-Governmental Organisations staff involved in the delivery of vital humanitarian aid in Sudan, the majority of which is currently transported by air. Officials have discussed with aid agencies their concerns about the system.

Sudan

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on arms exports to Sudan; and what steps it has taken to support the EU common position on arms exports to Sudan.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2003
	EU Common Position 94/165/CFSP, adopted on 16 March 1994, imposed an arms embargo on Sudan in response to the ongoing civil war. We fully support the EU arms embargo and expect it to remain as long as civil war continues.

Turkey

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with European Union Member States on the opportunity for human rights observers to visit Abdullah Ocalan in prison in Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not discussed this issue with EU member states.
	The Council of Europe's Committee on the Prevention of Torture has visited Imrali prison where Mr .Ocalan is held.

Zimbabwe

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government was approached by the French Government to seek agreement for a relaxation of the European Union travel ban on President Mugabe of Zimbabwe; what the purpose was of seeking the relaxation; over what period the allocation was sought; which other Ministers and officials were covered by the prospect of relaxation; when agreement with France was reached; what the reasons for agreeing to the relaxation were; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 28 January 2003
	The French mentioned, in the margins of the Copenhagen summit in December, that they were considering inviting Mugabe to Paris for the France-Africa summit scheduled two days after sanctions are due to expire. The French made a formal written request to all EU partners on 23 January; this included requests for visa waivers for Robert Mugabe, Mrs. Mugabe and Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge to attend the France-Africa summit on 20 and 21 February. Apart from this request and responses by a number of member states, which are EU internal documents, there was no correspondence on this matter. Discussion on this issue continues in Brussels. We have made clear throughout our support for the sanctions regime including the travel ban.

Zimbabwe

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Foreign Secretary was informed of the French Government's intentions to request a visa waiver for Mr. Robert Mugabe to attend the Franco-African summit in Paris in February.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Moore) today, UIN 94095.

Zimbabwe

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British Government was first informed by the French Government that the French Government wished to invite President Mugabe to the Franco-African Summit in Paris on 19 to 21 February 2003; what the British Government's response was; what discussions the UK Government had with the French Government on this issue; if he will place copies of the relevant correspondence in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 7 February 2003
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Moore) today, UIN 94095.